Instead of jetting off to somewhere like Las Vegas, South Padre Island or Cozumel, Kecia Morway spent her final spring break playing the game she loves in her own back yard.

Morway wasn't just kicking a soccer ball around with her family and friends, she was training with, and trying to earn a roster spot, with the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League. 

"It's definitely a cool opportunity and it's going really well," Morway said. "There hasn't always been an option to keep playing, so I got lucky with the timing and the opportunity."

In fact, it's going so well that Morway will take the final two blocks of the year off so she can continue to pursue a career in the professional ranks.

Morway played all 90 minutes when the Red Stars kicked off their 2014 preseason schedule with a 1-1 draw against FC Kansas City in front of more than 2,000 fans at the St. Louis Soccer Park.

While playing left back for Colorado College, Morway helped the team win a pair of Conference USA regular-season championships and the 2013 C-USA tournament crown. The Tigers also earned back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in her two seasons at CC.

Despite her impressive collegiate pedigree, which included winning a national championship as a freshman at Notre Dame, she had to adjust quickly to playing soccer as a professional.

"It's a lot different than the college game," Morway said. "The game is more fast-paced and intense. I'm not the biggest player, so I'm going to have to figure out how to use my body and not get pushed around."

The adjustment was made a little easier thanks to a familiarity with her coaches and some of her new teammates.

Head coach Rory Dames also serves as the director of coaching and player development for Chicago's Eclipse Soccer Club, where Morway trained for many years.

"Training with Coach Dames has added a level of comfort," Morway said. "He knows what I am capable of doing, and even though he has very high expectations, it's a lot better than if I had been playing somewhere else where I didn't know the coach or anyone else on the team.
 
"The Red Stars were a team even before the league existed. I have trained with them a couple of summers during my collegiate career and I'm familiar with quite a few of their players."

Morway also got some assistance from Colorado College head coach Geoff Bennett and her Tiger teammates as she prepared for her tryout with the Red Stars.

"The CC coaches were very supportive when I told them I was going to give this a try. They have been very supportive," Morway said. "I was so happy to be able to train with the team and that definitely helped with my game fitness."

She will have at least two more preseason games with the Red Stars, beginning with a visit to South Bend, Ind., on April 2.

"I'm really excited to play at Notre Dame again, Morway said. "The current seniors were freshmen when I was there as a sophomore. I'm still good friends with a lot of them and it will be fun to play against them." 

Morway will return to Colorado College in the fall to complete her degree in sociology.

"I won't mind coming back at that time of the year," she said. "It will be so beautiful and I'll get to watch my teammates play.

"Coach Bennett also mentioned the possibility of being an assistant coach. I just don't know if I would be able to commit for the entire semester. But it is something I will definitely consider."