Alexa Butler '27 Recruiting Profile

There is no "Plan B" for me. "Where do I see myself in five years?", the answer: "Playing professionally." I thrive under pressure and continuously work to improve my stamina, first touch and understanding of the game. I take coaching well and use it to become a better player. I am that player, that needs to win. I work really hard to raise my game and that of those around me. A point of pride for me is helping make my team dangerous around the goal. If we put the ball in the back of the net, that is all that matters!  I play for three teams throughout the year: My HS Varsity team (Leicester HS) as the starting striker, where I have started 38/39 games the last 2 years, earning the " SWCL Top 12 Scorer" Award in 2023 with 8 GCs on our teams' 25 total goals.  As a sophomore,  I was first in every offensive category; Goals, Assists, GC/Game, Games w/GC, Caps, Minutes, SOG and Games w/Assist - Earning a *2nd Team* Conference All-Star Honor.  During the 2024 MIAA Playoffs - Round of 32, I logged the sole goal sending LHS to the Round of 16 in a 1-0 win. I play with two travel FCs; the 2007 and 2009 MYG FC in the off-season out of Princeton, MA.  As a 13-year-old in 2023 and 14-year-old in 2024, my game schedules included matches against u17 ECNLs and the "Red Teams" Elite FCs. I go through off-season training with my Club Coach - Markens Benoit and I work individually with a Striker's Coach - Kyle Teixeira - New England Revolutions' Academy Boy's Coach and a strength and plyometrics coach - Matt Ganias at Soccer Asylum. I play against the highest level of competition available and I asked to play in the boy's u14 league last year to become stronger on the ball. I was named one of the (3) captains on that u14 Boys Spencer Raiders' Team and finished in top three in both assists and goals, as their starting striker. In my travel league, I am playing with girls that are two or more years older than I am on the 2007 team and HS Varsity Team. I have six (6) Caps in International "FIFA" approved friendly matches and have booked "7" International goals in these games and was 1st in GCs of any player; in three games with the MA Olympic Development Team u17 2023 - Barcelona, Spain (3-0) and (3) with Ma Young Gunners u17 2024 - Lake Como, Italy going 1-2 against teams like the reigning u18 Italia Academy Team - FC Monza.  I played for 2009 MA ODP Gilrs in 2023 as the number 9 starter and in three domestic tournaments (NY, CT and PA) for 6 tournament matches recorded a 6-0 record, logging the highest GCs at 11 with (4) goals and (7) assists in these games.  I have attended the New England Revolution's Academy Summer Camps 2022 & 2023 and have been invited to the NE Rev's PRO Edge and Elite Player Pathway trainings the last two years, by the NE Revs' Academy Coaches.  I believe this game is all about preparation and having the mental toughness to overcome any challenge, by looking for that next opportunity. Miss a shot, get the next one. Make a bad pass, GO GET IT BACK and make the next one. In fact, as a quick story, we were playing against a powerhouse this year, one of the regional high schools that have several towns feeding players into the school's team.  LHS was considered the underdog. As the game started, LHS went down 0-1 early, in the first few minutes and you feel the crowd's thoughts "it was going to end in a blow-out loss for LHS." Their defense was smothering, they studied our film and they were keeping possession with connecting passes. It was frustrating and we were not getting the opportunities to strike. BUT, just like that, "Get the next one" happened, in the 81st minute, I drove and broke through, dribbling free of two defenders and scored the equalizer. Seizing the momentum and stunning the Sheppard Hill players. LHS continued to press and 8 minutes later, in the 89th minute of the game, I broke off another attack into the box and was tackled from behind, winning a PK. In a game, the crowd fully expected LHS to lose, we had a chance to win. The Goalkeeper made a spectacular save against our designated PK Upperclassman, with her out-stretched fingertips, pushing the ball off target and bouncing clear of danger. LHS earned the DRAW. In what was supposed to be a blowout, ended in an even match score, because we had the mental toughness to believe "Just get the next one." This attitude doesn't just apply to on-field actions. It has to do with getting after whatever it is you want and setting about doing the work to achieve it. I believe this. In my freshman year, I was running unopposed for Class President when the LHS administration decided to re-open the nominations, after they had been closed for a week, allowing another student to run against me. I ended up losing the 2023 Class President Election. But, because I have this mentality when I have a goal, I just did what I do; I wrote it down, made a plan and I ran again in 2024. This time, no question - I won and I am the 2024 Student Body Class President. I am that teammate others come to and count on, to push them and myself to exceed our goals, no matter the challenges. That I promise. I hope you are looking for a Class of 2027 offensive player, that wants the challenges, takes them head-on and has the ability to overcome them. I am looking forward to the next one and playing at the next level. Thanks.