Shooting a Bit Blind, Lordemann Hits Her Professional Mark
Former Ram standout enjoys her Spanish experience
Savvy Rafkin
The goal of soccer is to kick it where it counts. But for the first time in her life, Caeley Lordemann took a shot without knowing if it would score.
Lordemann grew up in Greeley and started her explosive collegiate soccer career at Creighton University in Nebraska, but she quickly found her way back home as a member of the Colorado State women’s program.
“I thought Nebraska was a good fit. I had a lot of family there, the stadium was incredible, the culture was awesome and the girls were amazing,” Lordemann said. “I was really excited to go there, and I got there, and it just wasn’t a good fit for me. Bill Hempen came to me when I was looking to transfer, and it was probably the best decision I ever made.”
The CSU soccer coach had no reservations about accepting Lordemann as a transfer. Although Lordemann only clocked 96 minutes of gameplay as a freshman, Hempen saw the raw talent she could bring to the team.
“There’s a term that we use,” Hempen said. “Soccer players, and kids playing soccer. She was one of our first soccer players. She was a little bit of a soccer junkie, a soccer gym rat, soccer has played a big role in her life. A lot of things that people think twice about, she didn’t have to do that. The game was slow in her head which made her quite a program changer when she joined us.”
As a Ram, Lordemann proved she was someone to take seriously. She racked up 19 goals during her career, 11 as a senior. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, she also put up nine game-winning goals on her record.
After she finished her time as a collegiate athlete, she still wasn’t done with her time as a soccer player and she set her sights on becoming a professional athlete.
“It’s kinda weird,” Lordemann said. “College recruiting, you’re constantly emailing coaches and trying to get your name out there, but when it came to pro, there truly was nothing I could do in terms of getting my name out there. It was kinda the stats I had put out there had to speak for my name.”
Lordemann was attending a professional tryout when COVID-19 ramped up and shut everything down. But luckily for her, her stats were essentially shouting at professional recruiters. With some help from her agent Rafael A. Castro, Lordemann was soon picked up by the Santa Teresa soccer team in Badajoz, Spain and her dreams of becoming a professional athlete were realized.
Unlike college recruitment, Santa Teresa had never actually seen Lordemann’s abilities in person. Their only resource was a short highlight reel that was provided to them and a list of requirements they wanted in a player. They were looking for a dominant midfielder with the ability to attack, and Lordemann checked each and every box.
“All of the kids that were there were sent home, and she was one of them,” Hempen said. “And then the opportunity came to go across the pond and play in Spain and we fully encouraged that as a unique and wonderful opportunity that is. I think that will be a positive part of her development as a player, because I don’t think she’s done yet.”
The style of play is different on the field, but in terms of how we’re treated here, soccer is like the Holy Grail and that’s cool.Caeley Lordemann
Before she knew it, Lordemann was on her way to begin her new life in Spain. Unsurprisingly, it was anything but easy. She began her journey to becoming a professional athlete with her sights set on the United States and ended with a daunting change laying ahead of her.
“I knew it would be difficult being away from family, I knew that the pro level would be different,” Lordemann said. “I am very family-oriented and so being away from them was going to be difficult. I didn’t come in with expectations because I didn’t want to have a standard. The hardest part playing overseas is the language barrier. I live in a small town where no one really tours, and no one speaks English here. It’s been the hardest part.”
Like most things in her life, Lordemann took on this challenge with determination and grace, which was not a new theme. Both her agent and coach emphasized Lordemann was no quitter.
With only a few years of high school Spanish under her belt, she set out to experience the joys of being a professional athlete. The change wasn’t as difficult as she had expected because of her American roommate and the love that she feels from her community.
“The style of play is different on the field, but in terms of how we’re treated here, soccer is like the Holy Grail and that’s cool,” Lordemann said. “Unfortunately, with the pandemic, we haven’t had many fans, but you can still see the love and support that fans have for their team including our team. It’s cool seeing how communities come together for a fútbol team. It definitely feels like I’m on an NFL team and that’s awesome.”
None of Lordemann’s success was a surprise to anyone who knows her. Coach Hempen always knew Lordemann was special and she would do something big.
“She’s one of these kids that’s just so motivated to succeed,” Hempen said. “Many will talk about wanting things and expecting things to happen, and she has taken nothing for granted. She has gone after everything she has wanted with concentration and commitment. When she puts her mind to it, she is all in.”
If there could be something learned from Lordemann’s experience, it is this: anything is possible, even with unconventional bumps in the road.
With her eyes wide open to the literal world of possibilities, Lordemann has no idea where the road ahead leads.
“I wouldn’t mind staying in Spain, but I also wouldn’t mind traveling to other countries and experiencing their cultures,” Lordemann said. “I think that’s what’s cool about playing pro. You can go whatever you want. I have no idea what’s in store for me, but I really hope I can continue to play, that’s what I really want.”
Sometimes you have to trust your shot, even if you can’t clearly see the target.