“The first game, it was incredible,” Stadden says. “I was told that I would be kicking that game because our other kickers would be at their own soccer game. So I had a lot of pressure on me, that I knew I had to go out there.”
The pressure didn’t show. In that first game Blaine was down by one point and with three seconds left, she kicks it through for the win and gets mobbed by the team.
“I had no idea I would get the reaction I got.”
Stadden admits now she thought the field goal was worth just one point and a tie.
“I’ve never really watched football, Stadden says. “My dad played in college, but somehow I have zero knowledge on the entire game. I did think I would be tying the game.”
She knows now, a field goal in football is worth three points.
Stadden has played soccer for 13 years, and Blaine’s Athletic Director saw a special talent and suggested she try out as a football kicker.
“I said wait a minute this is not right. He was asking me if I would come out and try to kick. It’s never been a thought, never occurred to me that I would be doing this.”
Coach Mike Law says she struggled at first with the differences between kicking a soccer ball and a football, but she’s a fast learner.
“All of a sudden she started to catch on and it was quick and started putting them through. Obviously when we saw that we were pumped,” said Coach Law.
In a game against Champlin Park, the score was tied and she was called on again for a winning kick. Maybe it’s the years of soccer that helps her handle the pressure.
“In some of those big time moments she’s a little more relaxed than some of the other kids who haven’t been in highly competitive soccer games in the past,” said Law.
“Being able to touch the ball only once or twice a game you have to make sure you take advantage of it and make it worth it, instead of in soccer where you’re going to get a few chances,” said Stadden.
Her specialty is accuracy from close in, extra points and field goals.
Coach Law says every player brings something that makes them a better team, and Kendall Stadden is no exception.
“She’s tough, she’s confident, she cares about her teammates she puts great effort in during practice and expects a lot of herself in games. It’s exactly what you want when you have any kid come out, regardless of male-female. We want a kid that fits that bill and she definitely does,” said Law.
Kendall says she feels welcomed and accepted more than she expected.
“It feels somehow normal, just the environment and the family culture that is created,” Stadden says. It’s doesn’t seem like I’m the only girl on a football team.”
The longest kick so far is a 36 yarder against Champlin Park.
Kendall says her main sport is still soccer. But an unexpected benefit of football is the attention she gets as a role model for young girls.
