SEPTEMBER 21 , 2018 | SportsUnion 23
School midfielder Gretchen Beyer being named captain was a thrill and an honor , one that she isn ’ t taking lightly .
“ Being named a captain , especially as a junior is an honor . But with that honor comes responsibility as well . I know I have big shoes to fill ; my past two years on varsity I have had Marissa Birzon and Tess Ford as my captains , so I know I have to keep what they started going ,” stated Beyer . “ When they announced that I was a captain after practice one day I was just really excited . There were a lot of girls that were deserving of this role as well , so the fact that coach has faith in me to lead our team through a successful season is an honor and pleasure to say the least .”
Beyer knows being a captain will come with its up and downs . She knows the younger girls will be looking to her for guidance . Beyer was a freshman when she made the varsity . She was able to look up to the older players on the team like Birzon , who went on to Ohio State University .
Having that type of experience behind her will only help Beyer take control of the team this season .
“ I know I have to be there for the girls and my coaches . Whatever coach needs I will try my best to get done . As well as the team , they know they can come to me with any comments , concerns , or questions they may have ,” stated Beyer . “ On the field , I try to be as vocal as possible to help get my team the victory . As well as off the field , I try to lead by example . Including , keeping up on my school work , and making appropriate decisions ; my goal is to make an impression on the younger girls so they can carry what they hopefully learned from me through their careers as a Flame .”
Beyer is also continuing the tradition of Williamsville East Flames who play for the Western New York Flash , the premier club team in the area . Her time has been beneficial , especially now because she plays in the ECNL , a team league in the country .
Playing against that type of competition has only helped her continue to hone her skills , while doing it against some of the best girls in country . By playing in the ECNL , Beyer has taken away what she is good at , and what she still needs to improve on .
“ I love playing for the Western New York Flash . All of the coaches are great ; I have learned something new and different from every coach that is involved with the program . Between practices three times a week and showcase weekends away from home , I have bonded with a variety of girls which makes the WNY Flash experience more memorable and special to me ,” stated Beyer . “ The Flash has improved every aspect of my game ; my foot skills , my physicality , to even the mental part of the game . The Flash touches on all parts . Even though it was my first year playing in the ECNL , I have learned so much already . The thing that I have taken away the most is the speed of play . You have no choice but to play quick and smart . Playing quick and smart is what gets you to play at the next level .”
While she loves playing for club , there is nothing like playing for her school . Putting on the school colors of Williamsville East and having East across the back is something special that a club team can match .
That and the support the school gets from its fan “ The Sea of Red .” The student section makes sure they come out and support one of the most successful team in WNY at every home game .
“ Williamsville East is a great school . I wouldn ’ t want to play my high school ball anywhere else . There ’ s nothing comparable to the atmosphere at a home game ,” stated Beyer . “ Our student section , the “ Sea of Red ,” has a lot to do with it ; as well as all the other fall sports teams , family , and friends that come to cheer us on . Like I said , I know I have big shoes to fill , but I am confident we can get there if we play together as a team .”
You could say early in her career Beyer has been the Swiss Army knife of the Flames . Because of the talent around her , Beyer has played wherever her coach has needed her . While some might complain about it , Beyer embraced it as it gave her a chance on the field .
Now the junior has settled in to a midfield role with club . Playing midfield at Williamsville East is a lot of pressure . The coaching staff expects a lot from the midfielders – and Beyer is more than up to the challenge .
“ I listen to what our coaching staff has to say . They know what ’ s best for our team to do in order to win . I play in the position coach tells me to . I have played multiple positions throughout my career , so coach knows he can trust me to get the job done to the best of my ability wherever he puts me ,” stated Beyer . “ I believe my midfield role for East is an important role . The majority of an evenly matched game is played through the midfield players . We have to drop to help
SEPTEMBER 21 , 2018 | SportsUnion 23
out our backs as well as feed our forwards . I like playing in the midfield because I know I have a certain task to accomplish .”
Beyer is hoping her play on the field will lead to college offers . Beyer would like to “ play ” at the next level when her high school career is over . No one like to sit on the pine for years and not get an opportunity to showcase their skills at the next level .
With that being said , Beyer is looking at colleges and trying to figure out what will be the right fit for her both academically and athletically .
“ I have started looking into colleges . I want to play at the next level . Key word , play . I don ’ t want to go somewhere where I am not going to see the field much . After high school soccer is over , I ’ ll hopefully have four more years to play , and I want to make sure I make the most of those four years . I want to stay somewhat close to home . I ’ m a family girl and I would like for them to be able to come to some of my games . I want to study physical therapy or go into premed and advance from there ,” explained Beyer . “ Playing at the next level is my goal . However , I need to keep getting better . In order to get there I need to work on perfecting my weaknesses . I need to get faster , both physically and technically . There is always going to be somebody out there that is faster , stronger , and better than you , especially at the next level . That is my motivation to keep pushing myself as hard as I can ; to be the best version of myself that I can be .”
And pushing herself means doing everything possible on and off the field . While she describes herself as they everyday normal teenager , soccer is big in Beyer ’ s life . There isn ’ t a day she doesn ’ t think about the sport and how she can get better .
It ’ s the little things that stick out to her , like footwork or being stronger on the ball . As she stated , everyone in college was the best player on their team . They all are a little stronger and faster than the next person .
For Beyer that is just used as motivation during her workouts . She is dedicated to being the best soccer player on Williamsville East and in WNY .
“ A lot of my time when I ’ m not in school is spent playing soccer . I always want to get better . But when I am not playing soccer , I ’ d say I ’ m just your average teenage girl ,” stated Beyer . “ I worked on my weaknesses during the off-season . From the time my Flash season ended up until when school soccer started , I didn ’ t stop pushing myself . I need to thank Matt Waddington and Jason Collinsworth for helping to improve my game this past offseason . I went to Matt ’ s summer camp every morning over the summer . We focused heavily on fitness and getting lots of touches . With Jason , I focused on my technique while shooting as well as my foot skills . I continue to work with Matt and Jason during the season to keep getting better as well .”