Andrew's journey with Iowa Rush Soccer Club began at the young age of 4. While "Kicks for Kids" might not have been its official name in 2010, this program marked the initiation of Andrew's soccer adventure. His enthusiasm for the game quickly became evident as he progressed through the 5U-6U program. He made the transition into Academy Soccer, where he continued to hone his abilities. After Academy, he advanced into Select Soccer, participating at this competitive level until the U17 age group. In 2022, he continued on the Iowa Rush pathway at the highest level by being selected to VSA Rush ECNL.
He was a key contributor to three Iowa State Cup-winning teams in 2019 (Iowa Rush), 2022 (VSA Rush), and 2023 (VSA Rush). His talent also took him to regional and national stages, representing Rush Soccer. He had the privilege of playing in Florida and Arizona for Rush Regional and ventured to Greece in 2021 and Costa Rica in 2022 as part of Rush National, gaining invaluable experiences and exposure. Andrew's impressive achievements were further acknowledged when he was selected to participate in two ECNL National Selection games in March and December 2022. His consistent excellence led to him being recognized with the 2021-2022 ECNL All Conference 2nd Team Award and the 2022-2023 ECNL Heartland All Conference 1st Team Award for 04-05 boys. In addition to his club achievements, Andrew actively participated in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) both locally and regionally, reinforcing his commitment to the sport.
On January 1, 2023, Andrew took a significant step forward in his soccer journey, committing to play collegiate soccer for St. Louis University starting in the fall of 2024. Andrew's dedication and versatility extended beyond Iowa club soccer, as he was a guest player for Minnesota United FC during the spring and summer (Super Cup) of 2023, showcasing his ability to compete at a high level and being exposed to a professional environment. He will continue to play with Minnesota United FC this winter. Andrew Heckenlaible's journey exemplifies the success that can be achieved through passion, dedication, and the support from Iowa Rush Soccer Club. We look forward to watching his continued success and to witnessing the journeys of our other talented athletes in the years to come.
