‘The ultimate competitor’: Abby Sudkamp Takes the Helm of Women’s Soccer’s Defensive Line

First-year defender Abby Sudkamp has started in every game this season — the only Loyola defender to do so. Along the way she has scored two goals — one against Central Michigan University and the other against ​​Davidson College. 

The Mokena, Ill. native grew up in an athletic household, noting how her dad played sports in high school, and her mom ran cross country at Lewis University for two years. As the oldest of three, Sudkamp said her parents threw her into soccer at a young age. 

“I actually started off hating it,” Sudkamp said. “I would cry at practice and games, but it turned out to be my favorite sport ever. I’m so grateful for them to put me in it.”

At Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, Ill., Sudkamp was named an All-State Athlete of the Year, was a two-time All-Conference awardee and was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Recruiting Roundup. She was a member of both the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society and played club soccer at Windy City Pride Chicago. 

Sudkamp lettered in both varsity soccer and basketball. She said her basketball coach wasn’t the best, and she knew her soccer career was more successful. Sudkamp said the decision to continue playing soccer in college was easy, but she still misses basketball. 

During her unofficial visit to Loyola, Sudkamp said she liked how the team bonded, but she was also drawn to the new level of competition Division I athletics would bring. 

“It’s a completely new level of soccer coming from travel soccer, but I enjoy that,” Sudkamp said. “I enjoy difficult things.”

After fourth-year defender Emily Roberts exited the game against Fordham University Sept. 21 with a season-ending lower body injury, Sudkamp stepped up to lead the defensive line, a big responsibility for a first-year. 

Head coach Jon Sandoval said Sudkamp has shown a lot of grace under the pressure of this responsibility, and it has made her an asset to the team. This responsibility isn’t new, Sudkamp said, as she started as a freshman on her high school’s varsity team. 

“I also had that responsibility in high school, starting as a freshman on varsity in the back line at center back,” Sudkamp said. “So I’m kind of used to it, but the college level is so completely different, and it’s just amazing to get the chance to be on the field and play with these amazing players.” 

Sandoval and first-year midfielder Mary Fornelli both commended Sudkamp on how hard-working she is. Fornelli said whatever Sudkamp puts her mind to, she will do, and Sandoval applauded Sudkamp’s competitiveness and bravery. 

“One thing that I talked to our recruits about throughout the recruiting process is just, are you competitive?” Sandoval said. “Are you internally motivated? She was one that I can tell by the way she played, through her communication, you know, the way she organizes a back line as a freshman and how she competes on a daily basis.”

When asked to describe Sudkamp, Sandoval said she was the “ultimate competitor.” He said she’s someone who wants to be coached and wants to be pushed. He noted the importance of having someone who’s competitive and could handle the daily grind of the season. 

Off the field, Sudkamp said she looks up to her mom and her dedication throughout life. On the field, Sudkamp said her biggest inspiration is her teammate Roberts, inspired by her passion and communication on the pitch. 

“The way she vocalizes, her passion for the game, and how she communicates on the field with everyone, and off the field, how she has the ability to pick our heads up when we’re down, is truly inspiring to me,” Sudkamp said. “I hope to be like her when I’m a senior.”

Sudkamp, an exercise science major, said it’s an adjustment to handle classes and soccer at the same time, but she enjoys it. She said not having something to do frustrates her, and she likes to keep herself busy. 

When she’s not in classes or practice, Sudkamp said she enjoys sitting by the lake, admitting it’s one of her favorite things to do on campus. On weekends and in her free time, she said she likes exploring the city with her friends and teammates like Fornelli, who said she felt like she clicked with right away. 

Once she graduates, Sudkamp hopes to continue playing soccer. 

“Soccer is definitely a passion of mine, and I would love to play for as long as possible,” Sudkamp said.