The Maryville College women’s soccer program played their inaugural season in 1988. With an influx of talented players, it would not be long before the MC Lady Booters received national recognition. One of the gifted recruits was Julie Dingels, a scoring sensation from Crestwood High School in Roswell, Georgia.
After sitting out and red shirting her first year, Julie was ready to have an immediate impact on the Maryville College Soccer scene. Along with teammates Kelly Smelser, Bev Stepp, Pam Russell, and roommate, Christine Neal, the Lady Scots posted the program’s first winning record in 1989. Coach Jerry Litton’s squad defeated Division 1 Arkansas-Little Rock in overtime on their way to a 13 and 6 record. Julie was a natural goal scorer ripping the nets for 14 goals in 19 games.
In 1990, Pepe Fernandez took over the reigns of the women’s soccer team and the Lady Scots did not miss a beat. The winning ways continued and Julie Dingels kept scoring goals. As a forward, with primary offensive responsibilities, she ran the field tirelessly and was not afraid of contact. If she got knocked down, she would be back on her feet in an instant. If she knocked a defender down, they might stay there for a while. Her footwork ball control and passing ability was exceptional. With Julie scoring 10 goals and assisting on 6 others, the Lady Scots soccer team posted the best record ever – 12-2-1.
But it was only going to get better for Julie and her teammates in 1992. With the offense scoring 90 goals and the defense conceding only 9, the ’92 team was a national powerhouse. With Julie leading the offense and Lara Sibold, Molly Hewa, and Nicole Shumacher leading the defense, the team posted a 15 and 3 record.
Posting wins over perennial powers Emory, Methodist and Wooster, the Lady Scots received a first-ever national ranking of 20th in the nation. When you’re hot, you’re hot and Julie was hot throughout the ’92 season. In 18 games she scored 23 goals and assisted 9 others. For her outstanding play she was honored as the team’s most valuable player, a member of the All-South Team and an All-American. Julie was one of only four underclassmen in the nation to receive this award and she was the first in MC soccer history.
With a returning record breaking defense and a scoring machine on offense, the 1993 team looked forward to even greater accomplishments. But for Julie, it would be nothing more than utter disappointment. Three games into her senior season, her collegiate career ended with a torn ACL knee injury. She needed only one goal to tie the all-time school record. The fiery competitor was forced to lead her team from crutches on the sideline.
Even with a career cut short by injury and basically only playing three seasons, Julie managed to make her mark on the MC record books.
Julie was 2
nd in all-time goals in a season with 23. She was 1
st in all time points in a season. For her career, she was 3
rd all-time in career goals, with 53, 3
rd all-time in career points and 4
th all-time in career assists.
During Julie’s four-year tenure at the college, the Lady Scots won 51 matches and only lost 19. Julie decided to stay at the college upon graduation in 1994. Because of her work ethic, personality, and soccer knowledge, Coach Fernandez hired her as an assistant for the men’s and women’s soccer programs. After two-years in the coaching field, Julie decided to enter the business world.
She now lives and works in Atlanta where she has marched up the corporate ladder as a market development manager for Pepsico.
Coach Pepe Fernandez had this to say about Julie Dingels. “As a player, Julie and her teammates were pioneers not only at Maryville but in women’s soccer. She helped a young team grow into a nationally recognized soccer program. As a coach, her energy and recruiting skills were instrumental in the continued success at MC. She is truly one of the most successful and influential athletes in Maryville history.” One of the best female athletes in MC history, Julie Dingels.
