It’s a dream come true for Bethany Balcer, the for Spring Arbor University soccer star.
She signed a professional contract with the Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. Before practice on Wednesday, GOC had a chance to catch up with her on ESPN 101.9. “I’m just completely elated. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’ve been smiles ever since I got the phone call,” Balcer said. “I entered the draft back in January and didn’t get drafted, but I got a personal invite to the Seattle Reign camp for their preseason, accepted it and just been trying out with them ever since. On Friday, they asked me to join the team and be a permanent player.” While it was a bit of a letdown to not be drafted, the persistence during camp paid off, and the decision to join Reign FC for the season was a no-brainer. “It was one of the easiest yeses I’ve ever had to say. It’s just been a dream come true, for all the work I had to put in to get to this moment.”
Balcer was a force at SAU, with 129 career goals, two national titles, and a 3-time NAIA Player of the Year. She put all of that aside to give praise to the people who helped her get to Reign FC, her coaches and teammates. “A lot of them I played with since high school. It was cool to experience college with them; to share all the memories, the national titles we had, and everything in between. We were definitely a family out there, I think that showed in how we played together,” she said. Her head coach at Spring Arbor, Jason Crist, got a lot of praise for helping Balcer improve to the professional level. “I would not be sitting here playing for the Reign if it weren’t for him. He did all of the little behind the scenes things. Talking to coaches, putting my name out there, giving me the exposure I need; guiding me through the summers and what I had to do to get here.”
One of the biggest transitions? Four hour bus rides have become cross-country plane trips. “We travel a ton. Being one of two west coast teams, we’re always flying. Most of the teams are on the east coast so it is a lot of traveling, and a lot of fun to be with the team.”
Balcer and Reign FC (0W-1D-0L) follow up their 1-1 draw against Houston with some home cooking on Sunday against the Orlando Pride, 7pm Pacific Time, from Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, WA.
