Katherine Besch '20 Recruiting Profile

I want to train, study and play with other people who love learning and love soccer and want to do both at a very high level.  At my first college clinic, which was at Middlebury, I felt like I'd found my people, because I have always been the biggest athlete of my friends and the biggest nerd on my soccer teams.  I want to be with nerdy athletes!

I figure that the kind of girls you are looking at are likely to have high personal performance standards and work ethics.  How might I be different?  In addition to those things, I have earned perspective and resilience, and have seen the power of kindness, integrity and of being a true team player.   Getting access to the kind of soccer I now have access to, and continuing to have access to the kind of academics I have loved throughout high school, are privileges that I value very much..  

Many coaches have told me I started club soccer late, but I loved being multi-sport until age 14, when scheduling required that I specialize.  Goalkeeper was always my favorite position.  It was a challenge to come into club soccer and compete with kids who had been dedicated to it longer than I had, but I really "want it" and so doubled down and trained every chance I could.

In June 2017, I was brought on as a developmental player to Arsenal FC LA G00 Vermillion -- the only sophomore on a Flight 1 team of mostly seniors.  By August, I had earned at least half of the playing time in almost every game.  I like a challenge.  I stayed with Coach Vermillion for Fall 2018 as she rebuilt our team (then LAPFC G00 Vermillion) with only one other returning player.  Our season was rough, with at least 85% of most games played in my half.  It was an experience that tested me in new ways as a goalkeeper and a great opportunity to develop better techniques and game knowledge.

In February of 2019, Coach Pete at Middlebury gave me some welcome and clear feedback about what I would need to do to play at their level, so I joined SGV Surf G01 SB/HH, which then became LA Surf G01.  They played in the Discovery Bracket of the SoCal Developmental Soccer League, which was created as a DA alternative, and in fact the top team from that bracket won Surf,  beating some DA teams to do it.  This team and level was a new challenge, a great opportunity, and I loved it.  It was also a team of seniors, so when it disbanded, I took the summer to go to Tracy Noonan's Dynasty GK Camp and some college training opportunities, and watched some fantastic soccer in the World Cup.  Some areas of development I have been targeting really clicked for me during this time, and I am now the newest (and possibly most excited) member of LAFC Slammers ECNL U18/U19 coached by Ziad Khoury.  This is another "leveling up" and I am doing my best to make the most of this opportunity.

Many people have called me an "old soul".  On the field, I am of course directive, but overall my leadership style is calm, encouraging, and quietly confident.  Many of my coaches over the years have commented on how coachable and what a quick learner I am.  

Thank you for your consideration!