After a standout career on the field for Drake, Cassie Rohan is applying what she learned as a Bulldog to pursue her professional soccer ambitions.
 
Earlier this year, Rohan completed a trial with the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League, the highest level of women's soccer in the United States. But before she was competing against the top talent in America, Rohan was earning her stripes as a prep in Palatine, Ill., leading her Eclipse Select club to back-to-back Illinois State Cup titles. Her strong play caught the attention of Drake head coach Lindsey Horner.
 
"I wasn't very familiar with Drake at first, but Coach Horner helped me understand what a unique and special school it is," said Rohan. "I admired what a superb academic program Drake had as well as its close-knit community."
 
Rohan arrived on campus and made an immediate impact. As a midfielder, Rohan contributed to a program-record 11 shutouts and helped the Bulldogs earn 12 wins in 2016. She was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team for her efforts.
 
Adversity struck, however, when days before reporting for her sophomore season, Rohan suffered a fractured tibia and sprained MCL while playing soccer over the summer. She was on crutches for four weeks before finally being able to undergo weeks of physical therapy, but the full recovery process took even longer.
 
"The process of getting back in shape and feeling comfortable with the ball at my feet was a tough endeavor," said Rohan. "I was pretty down during my recovery. I felt that I was missing out on time to bond and create connections with the team on and off the field, but I learned to have a positive mindset when things don't go your way. It's so easy to feel frustrated and upset over things you can't control, but you have to control the controllables."
 
Rohan's perseverance enabled her to return for the final nine games of the season, and once again, she made contributions right away. She scored the game-winning goal in Drake's win over UNI, and she assisted on the decisive goal against Loyola.
 
Rohan's clutch play was key in pushing Drake to the MVC regular-season championship. The Bulldogs won 13 games to equal a program-best.
 
"That was such a special moment with my team," said Rohan. "It felt so good going undefeated in conference play and being rewarded for all of our hard work."
 
As a junior, Rohan picked up where she left off, leading Drake to a 5-1-1 mark in MVC play and tying for the team lead with three assists. She earned spots on the All-MVC First Team and the All-MVC Tournament team as a result.
 
Rohan returned in the fall of 2019 for her senior campaign, and she continued to come through when Drake needed her most. She scored the game-winning goal against Evansville, and she was credited with the game-winning assist against Valparaiso on Senior Night. Rohan wasn't done, however, as she delivered the decisive goal in the Bulldogs' 1-0 triumph over Valparaiso in the MVC Tournament. Rohan made both the All-MVC First Team and the All-MVC Tournament Team for the second-straight year.
 
Her impressive achievements as a collegian landed Rohan a trial with the Red Stars, a team that features defender Julie Ertz, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and midfielder Morgan Brian, each of whom are two-time World Cup champions.
 
"I was pretty nervous to train with them, but the team was very nice and welcoming," said Rohan. "The training sessions were intense, fast-paced and very competitive. A lot of players were fighting for their spot on the team just like me. It was nerve-racking playing at the next level with professionals, but it was very fun at the same time. It has been a great experience so far, and I hope I can continue to pursue playing soccer professionally."
 
While Ertz and Naeher were away training for the Olympics, Rohan matched up against Brian for much of the session.
 
"I really like how Brian plays because it is very similar to how I play," said Rohan. "She is a very cheeky and smart player. I was very star-struck to be training with her every day."
 
It was not Rohan's first brush with greatness. She and her Bulldog teammates got the chance to meet Megan Rapinoe when she visited Drake for the 41st Bucksbaum Lecture in late November.
 
"It was such a cool experience," said Rohan. "Megan Rapinoe is such an influential figure for women's soccer players all across the United States. Having the opportunity to see her up close and hear her speak in the Knapp Center was amazing. It was very weird meeting someone I've admired and watched on TV for so long."  
Rohan enjoyed meeting Rapinoe, and it's one example of why Rohan cherished her time at Drake.
 
"My favorite thing is the amount of amazing connections I've made throughout four years," said Rohan. "I've enjoyed the memories I've made with my coaches and teammates that will last a lifetime. I have grown so much not only as a player but, more importantly, as a person because of the Drake women's soccer team."