Defender Finds Confidence and Trust to Inspire Teammates On and Off the Field

When 18-year-old Joss Boettcher was football-tackled midway through her senior soccer season, it dislocated her shoulder and shook her confidence.

She missed seven games, and the injury was obviously "incredibly disappointing." But the competitive athlete and team captain found a way to recover.

She supported her teammates and led Northland Preparatory Academy's girls team to their second straight state championship.

"This season meant the world to me and my teammates,” Joss said, expressing appreciation for the efforts and spirit of her team. “Our state championship win was truly my favorite game of my soccer career.”

"I hope I never forget the hard work both my teammates and I put in throughout the season. We had to fight for this championship win. It was not handed to us, which taught me so much about what it means to truly give your whole heart and soul to something."

For the Love of the Game

"I love the mental part of soccer," Joss explained. "I love being able to organize the field and watch our plays develop and work in our favor."

Her strategic mindset reflects a deep understanding of the game. She knows soccer is not just a game of physical skill. It's also a constant intellectual challenge.

“I love that the game does not have set plays like other sports, so you must think on the fly,” Joss said.

Joss's dedication to soccer was nurtured early on. A familial influence set the stage for her commitment.

"My dad played college soccer, so I grew up surrounded by soccer," she shared.

Fun fact: She was a competitive hip-hop dancer for six years until she gave it up to play soccer.

Despite this profound connection to the game, Joss faces the universal athlete's plight. They eventually will have to separate from their sport. “The hardest thing about soccer has been having to say goodbye to it,” she confides. She reveals a deep-seated passion. It has made her high school soccer experience more than just a game.

Her coach, Michael Blair, who has observed her growth since she was 12, speaks to her unique qualities as a player.

"I think she's really intelligent, and she really takes a lot in," Blair said, affirming her thoughtful approach to the game. “She's very cerebral, so when she adds in confidence, that's when she is really, really powerful."

A Thoughtful Leader On and Off the Field

Joss brings a thoughtful, caring approach to her role as team captain.

Blair highlighted Joss’s leadership abilities.

"Her story is about getting set back and coming back,” Blair said, "It's about believing in yourself. You know people will follow you if you lead." He added, "I want these girls to realize they have an impact. They have an impact on their teammates and each other, and she has a lot to offer. I just hope she finds a place where she can take all her talents and really impact others around her."

Overcoming Self-Doubt

When Boettcher returned from her 4-week shoulder injury rehab, she had to overcome self-doubt.

"Joss can do some amazing things," Blair said. "I just hope she continues to trust herself and her abilities and realizes what her confidence can do. All the hard work you put into soccer will eventually pay off."

In the last two games, the team captain regained her confidence. She stepped up her performance. Blair said she "really played well" down the stretch, and he was proud of how she returned from her injury and the role she played in the team dynamics.

"In her senior year, she played with confidence, and it was great to see," he added.

An Unforgettable Championship Season

The state title capped an unforgettable senior season for Joss. She will not forget her teammates who "stuck by my side and kept my spirits up" during rehab.

"I found different ways to work out and stay in shape," she said. "Then, I was finally cleared to play the last two weeks of the season."

"All the hard work you put into soccer will eventually pay off. Every extra lap or extra pass you make will pay off in the end, and it is all worth it," Joss said, encapsulating the lesson of perseverance she learned and a lesson she hopes to share with upcoming players on the team.

She lives her life by the motto, "Everything happens for a reason."

“This season meant the world to me and my teammates," Joss said. "Our state championship win was truly my favorite game of my soccer career because everyone gave it their all."

"When I look back at these photos years from now, I hope I never forget the hard work my teammates and I put in throughout the season," she said.

In the words of Joss Boettcher:

“I love the mental part of soccer.”
“The hardest thing about soccer has been having to say goodbye to it.”
“Everything happens for a reason.”
“All the hard work you put into soccer will eventually pay off. Every extra lap or extra pass you make will pay off in the end, and it is all worth it.”
“Our state championship win was truly my favorite game of my soccer career.”

In the words of Coach Michael Blair:

“I think she's really intelligent... very cerebral.”
“People will follow you if you lead.”
“She really stepped up in our last two games and really played well.”
“I just hope she finds a place where she can take all her talents and really impact others around her.”
“Joss can do some amazing things, so, I just hope she continues to trust herself and her abilities and what her confidence can do.”