FISHER - High school sports programs are supposed to be an extension of the educational process. The six girls in the "boys" soccer program at Fisher - which co-ops with Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley - have been busy educating opponents about the dangers of underestimating them. Video

"I do think some of the boys on the other team don't think girls can do as much so they underestimate us a little bit," said junior Kate Schmitt, a varsity starter at center mid.

"It's kind of funny sometimes because they don't guard you as well. I don't think that happens for too long because they see we are just as good."

In some cases, they are better.

Jordan Miller, who scored five goals as a senior last year, has gone on to play for Division I Oral Roberts University.

"She was amazing," remembers senior Sean Adams. "She was as good as anybody out there. We have that same presence with our midfielder, Kate."

Fellow senior Jeff Crowder recalls that when the team was going through two-a-day practices last year, Miller did three-a-days.

"She was phenomenal," agreed eighth-year coach Jared McAfee, who has had at least one female varsity starter every year he has coached.

This year's team also starts junior defender Kearah Ressler, the team's only girl not from GCMS.

The junior varsity includes sophomore Leah Livingston (the GCMS school record holder in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter track events) and freshmen Erica Nugent, Donna Eckerty and Kelsey Brewer.

The team had seven girls last year.

"We've really been lucky or blessed," McAfee said. "We've always had really aggressive girls come out. If they're not, they will not be able to last long at this level of a boys sport."

McAfee said girls can inspire the guys by their effort.

"During a game when you see your girl out there just giving everything she's got - sticking guys left and right because a lot of our girls have typically been defenders - it just gives a lot of motivation to the rest of the team," he said.

The girls get no time to coast.

"As a girl you have to work a little harder to prove yourself more," said Schmitt, who had one goal as her team opened the season 0-2-3 prior to Tuesday's game with Urbana Uni High.

Ressler was prepared for rough play by her four soccer-playing brothers.

"Soccer is like a family sport," she said. "I've been around soccer all my life. My brothers are proud and enjoy coming out and watching me."

Sometimes she yearns to play for an all-girls team.

"I'm sure I would miss being on the boys team just because of the relationships I've made," she said.

McAfee would love to see a girls team established.

"It would take a couple years to get the numbers for a full varsity and JV, but … with the girls we have at the junior high level, we could have a pretty decent team with 16 to 20 girls," he said.

McAfee's boys have always been willing to pass girls the ball.

"It's wonderful to watch," he said.

McAfee said he coaches each gender the same. The girls get as much drill time as the boys.

McAfee hasn't had a girl seriously injured in a collision with a boy. He estimates their rate of minor injuries is no worse than the boys' rate.

"For the most part, they are all pretty tough and they just bounce right up," he said.

Schmitt said her mother worries about injuries.

"When I was in junior high, I collided with a couple of guys and she thought I broke my leg because I got up a little slow," Schmitt said. "I think she's probably a little more confident I'm not going to get hurt now."

Most of the girls began playing at a young age on co-ed teams. Schmitt started at age 4 with the Ford County Youth Soccer Program.

"Playing with the boys, we do have an edge on some girls who wouldn't normally have that experience," she said.

Brewer, who took up soccer at age 5, likes its social aspect.

"Coming out and meeting a bunch of new people and getting to know and play with them is fun," she said.

Co-captains Adams and Crowder agree girls make soccer more fun.

"They try hard and do pretty good," Crowder said.