Soccer Mom Sunday

09/15/2025

Two weeks ago, my kiddo Maren completed her soccer recruiting process and picked Saint Louis University Women's Soccer. Am I happy she'll be close to watch her? Yes of course. Did I need her to be? No - I just wanted her to find a place that would feel like "home" which it really seems to be (and that's something considering this kid first started the process looking ONLY at colleges on coasts 😉).

Also I'm so proud of her really owning her entire process from the initial talks, to the visits, to the offers, along with accepting and, even harder, respectfully declining the other programs (and big respect to all of them for their graciousness in wishing her well).

It's Billiken time - gotta get me some swag - and also get used to saying ⚽🙌

Saint Louis University
Billiken Athletics

09/09/2025

08/22/2025

It's been a wild ride - hope it keeps going ⚽️🙌😃

08/19/2025

⚽💖🙌

"Oosa, Oosa!" 🇺🇸

Remembering the USWNT's first-ever match, 40 years later: shorturl.at/yVxaz

07/31/2025

This was a fun thing to do ⚽️😃

06/28/2025

True 🙃
I got this locked up then 😉

06/13/2025

Crazy amazing youth soccer player here on with Jen Siess On Air ⚽️

The Beautiful Game runs through the veins of the DiMaria Family with Mom (Sara Wingbermuehle DiMaria) playing through the college level at Loyola University Chicago - Dad (Jeff DiMaria) playing Saint Louis University and STL Steamers - plus 3 siblings who play at high levels themselves!

The 3rd born of the family Maddie DiMaria has led all of her teams to success: St. Paul C*C, Scott Gallagher SC, Cor Jesu Academy Missouri State High School Activities Association Champs, and appearances with the U.S. Soccer USYNT. Maddie also made history as the first high school freshman to be named the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2024.

Listen in for Maddie’s soccer journey, lessons learned, hopes for the future, and what her family connection means every step of the way.
🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4gtPtdpmAC1HukjYRof7Fr?si=SsdaKDizQiCNyrNgCVVrbg

Thanks to Trueman's Place Fenton for the recording location 😃

Gatorade, SLSG ECNL Girls, Loyola Ramblers, Loyola Ramblers Women's Soccer, Billiken Athletics, SLU Men's Soccer, Stl Champions League, The Soccer Dad-Pod

06/04/2025

Pregame ceremonies tonight for the U.S. Soccer USWNT honoring STL native, Becky Sauerbrunn ahead of the match against Jamaica at St. Louis CITY SC's Energizer Park ⚽️

06/04/2025

06/03/2025

Yesterday's training ahead of the U.S. Soccer USWNT 7pm match tonight versus Jamaica at St. Louis CITY SC's Energizer Park ⚽️

05/23/2025

When you hear the name “Lombardo” in St. Louis, you think of great food 😋 and sports. When you hear the name Karen Lombardo-Baker, you also think of women’s soccer ⚽️

On this , Jen Siess On Air caught up with this trailblazer who, with her peers, found a way to pitch up and play no matter the uniforms, conditions, resources, or fans. As a member of the first intercollegiate women's soccer team for the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Karen was a 3x leading goal scorer, helping UMSL Women's Soccer burst onto the college soccer scene with rapid success, then finished at Cardinal Newman with All-American honors.

After rounding out her playing career with STL Championship Cup and Regional/Open National teams … she got the coaching bug - assistant at Incarnate Word Academy (5 trips to the Final Four with 2 Missouri State titles) - women’s head coach at St. Louis Community College Florissant Valley (3 Conference titles and 2 NJCAA Championships) - first AND youngest woman to receive the NJCAA Coach of the Year Award TWICE!

Listen in for this Saint Louis Soccer Hall of Famer's soccer start story, what Karen has gotten from and given to the game, and wisdom for players and parents just starting their soccer journeys.
🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UtUCmSS7CI6FQ1LwynMyE?si=NHrRe1B8THiHrtG8xdYJ7Q

The Soccer Dad-Pod, Lombardo's Restaurant, UMSL Athletics, Incarnate Word Red Knight