Karlander Finally Meets Her Match
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Oct. 2, 2001
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that come unexpectedly. Just ask Miami's women's soccer coach Bobby Kramig, who in the off-season received word that Katie Karlander, Syracuse's stand-out goalkeeper, was interested in becoming a RedHawk.
"At the time we thought we were pretty well set at the position," Kramig said. "Then, out of the blue, our goalie transferred. From then on, everything (with Katie) fell into place."
Karlander, a two-year starter for the Orangewomen, was unhappy with life outside of soccer and decided she needed to find a new atmosphere in which to spend her last two years of college. After being voted to the Big East All-Rookie Team as a freshman, Karlander set single-season records as a sophomore for saves (138) and shutouts (8.5) before deciding to finish her career in Oxford.
"The soccer was really good there," Karlander said. "It was very intense and a good fit, I just didn't like the school."
It was in late winter that she sent Kramig an e-mail expressing her desire to make a switch and move back to the Midwest.
"Once we got the release from Syracuse, we treated her like any other recruit," Kramig said.
Along with Miami, Karlander also considered Central Michigan, whom the RedHawks beat Sept. 21 to open up conference play, as a potential destination. Having gone through the recruiting process as a prep standout for Carmel High School in Carmel, Ind., Karlander knew what to look for while visiting various campuses and checking out programs.
"It was a lot easier the second time," she said about picking a school to continue her career. "The first time I was really nervous, but the second was a lot of fun and not nearly as nerve-wracking."
Karlander has made an immediate impact with the RedHawks, who are looking to defend their first ever Mid-American Conference crown. Kramig said she has been excellent in helping develop team chemistry, something that might have been lacking for her at Syracuse.
"She's been positive in every sense," he said. "She keeps things loose and lively."
Coming from Carmel, a state power in soccer, Karlander said an equal emphasis was put on enjoying the game and winning while she was growing up. In high school, Karlander led Carmel to a four-year record of 87-2-4, including two undefeated seasons and two state titles. She allowed only three goals throughout her entire prep career and recorded more than 200 saves.
After trying to find happiness elsewhere, Karlander says she's finally content in Oxford.
"Miami's been the perfect fit for me," she said. "It's been a great balance between soccer and social life, and that's something I was missing before."
Through Miami's first nine games, Karlander has allowed a miniscule 1.28 goals per game and registered 38 saves for the 6-3 RedHawks. Among her five victories are shutouts against area rivals Wright State and Cincinnati.
Karlander, who turned 21 Sept. 30, says that choosing to go to Syracuse was one of the first decisions of her adult life, and while it was not completely ill-conceived, she has no regrets about leaving there.
"I learned a ton about soccer and played against great competition, it just wasn't the place for me," she said. "I've been able to use what I learned (at Syracuse) here and have fun doing it."