By Dan Ninham

Isabelle Morin is a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa and her alma mater was Bemidji High School, Bemidji, MN. She is a senior soccer player for Bemidji State University.

Isabelle has been keeping busy with her studies and also works at the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) as a student front desk worker. Side jobs also include working at KD Floral in downtown Bemidji as their social media content creator.

“Isabelle Morin is an exceptional student who has the determination and dedication to not only excel academically but also athletically with her commitment to the Bemidji State Women’s Soccer team,” said Chrissy Downwind, Executive Director, American Indian Resource Center, Bemidji State University. “Isabelle has played with the team since a freshman, she has been able to balance her academics with her sports.”

It was only a few years ago that Isabelle was featured in this YouTube video as one of the athletes signing her letter of intent to play for the BSU Beavers soccer team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8ViEiajJsU

While at Bemidji HS, Isabelle earned All-Lakes to Prairie Conference honors in 2017 after scoring 16 goals and recording 10 assists. She led the Lumberjacks to a 2017 Section 8A title and trip to the Minnesota State Tournament by scoring a game-winning, overtime goal to clinch a berth into the State Tournament, according to her BSU Soccer profile page.

“It’s been four years since I’ve coached Isabelle, but she’s the type of player that leaves very unforgettable memories for her coaches, teammates, and opponents,” said Logan Larson, BHS head girls’ soccer coach. “One of the strongest memories I have of Isabelle is her overtime sudden-death goal against East Grand Forks, granting us the title of Section Champion.”

“My personally favorite memory is when she scored three goals in a single game against Moorhead, leading us to victory in a 5-4 win,” added Logan.

“Isabelle has always been the type of player who draws out opponents’ hate,” said Logan. “She’s fearless. She can’t be shaken. She’s physical. She’s composed under pressure.

She rises to the occasion, and has many times single-handedly altered the outcome of the game. She is by definition an impact player. Her tactical awareness and questions she posed to me have pushed me to become a better coach.”

She is in her final season of women’s university soccer. She will also be graduating in the fall with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Communication degree with minors in Design and Mass Communication. “This year is really exciting because we are actually getting to have a full regular season for soccer and it has been amazing thus far. It’s really been a ‘you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone’ moment for me and my whole team.”

Morin is a two-time Fall NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence award winner. She had a 4.0 GPA in high school and has extended that into the university level.

“The last year and a half with COVID-19 and everything were really hard and I am very grateful to have had my team alongside me to get through it together,” said Isabelle.

The Beavers are undefeated in five games so far this season. “I am really excited to see what’s in store for us,” added Isabelle.

“Isabelle Morin has been a great teammate both on and off the field throughout her time in our program,” said James Stone, head women’s soccer coach at Bemidji State University. “She is an incredibly hard working player who will put her well-being on the line for our team.”

“I remember her drawing a foul her freshmen year that gave us a free kick to win our first game and crashing into a goal keeper injuring herself in the process later that season.

She’s a fearless player that gives her all. It’s no different in the classroom where Izzy is a straight A student. She will be successful wherever she lands and we feel blessed to have had her in our program,“ added James.

“I owe a lot of my successes and growth in life to my parents, Eleanor and Craig Morin, and siblings Whittney, Sophia, Gabe, and Isaac Morin,” said Isabelle. “They have all been a major support system for me, they’re always at my home games and most of the away games too.”

“It means the world to me to have them in the stands,” said Isabelle. “I got really lucky with them.”