The biggest fan in the stands at a William Woods University women's soccer match is two-year-old Brynnlie. Brynnlie is the daughter of forward McKenzie Gourley. 
 
"She is super active running around," Gourley said. "My parents will bring her to games, and sometimes they have to keep someone at the bottom of the field to prevent my daughter from running on the field. She likes to be outside singing, dancing or moving around."
 
When Gourley found out she was pregnant with Brynnlie in high school, she knew she needed to stay close to home to start her college studies as an Exercise Science major with an emphasis in pre-athletic training. She wanted a schedule that balanced her soccer playing career with being a mom and working.
 
"My soccer coach has been great with practice," Gourley said. "There was a Sunday practice a few weeks ago, and I asked if I can bring Brynnlie to practice. I did not have any options to take her anywhere because everyone had plans. Coach said yes."
 
Lauren Robb, WWU head soccer coach, played soccer growing up with Gourley's High School Junior Varsity Coach. The JV coach connected Gourley and Robb.
 
"It's important to have a player like Kenzie because she works so hard and gets the results, we need in order to win games," Robb said. "She has a great attitude and great work ethic. Kenzie has a wonderful support system. Gourley has a big crowd at our games and one of those fans is her daughter. It's awesome to see Brynnlie run up to her after the games. She has even come to a practice this fall and participated in our warm-up with her mom."
 
In the middle of a fall practice, the soccer team was doing hill sprints and Brynnlie ran up and down the hill laughing like it was normal. Gourley credits her teammates with creating a positive experience for Brynnlie.
 
"My teammates are good with her after games. They will come over and say hi to Brynnlie and ask her how she is doing. Brynnlie shows everyone her new tricks of what she has learned," Gourley said. 
 
Gourley has a busy schedule. Right now, Gourley wakes up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready before waking up Brynnlie. The two are out the door by 7 a.m. On a Wednesday, Gourley drops her off at her Grandma's house, goes to class at 8 a.m. and is done by 8:50 a.m. She will drive back to Holts Summit, work until about 1 p.m., then go back to school for class at 2 p.m. She hangs out for an hour after class to attend practice at 4 p.m. She travels to her home at about 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to complete homework, dinner time, bath time, and bedtime. 
 
Gourley co-parents and has Brynnlie on a three-day rotation. Gourley lives in Jefferson City where she commutes every day to school. Brynnlie's great grandparents do a every other day rotation schedule to assist Gourley. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Brynnlie participates in a play group in Jefferson City. 
"I would not be playing soccer if it was not for my family's help," Gourley said. "Having practices in the evenings would not work. I would not be able to go unless I went to pick my daughter up and bring her to practice. The good news is, she is getting interaction with the family and everyone gets to see her. The play group helps Brynnlie gets interaction with kids and not just with adults."
 
The next time a women's soccer game at WWU is happening, one can expect that Gourley's daughter Brynnlie will be entertaining spectators on the sidelines in excitement for her mother's great performance.