Freshman biology major and exercise science minor, Jessica Bonenclark is one of the new athletes that joined NSU’s women’s soccer team.
Originally from Ocala, Florida, Bonenclark was named captain of her high school soccer team in her senior year. She also earned the title of team MVP and made the MCIAC All-County Athletic and Academic teams. Bonenclark also played club soccer for the Florida Force, under the direction of Coach Patrick Gould.
Despite having a mostly new roster, the women’s soccer team is off to a phenomenal start, and Bonenclark is excited to continue the rest of season.
She said, “We have a lot of new players this year. Twenty-six freshmen is a lot to have on any team. Twenty-nine new players and only four returners. It’s quite the feat coach John did to recruit all of us to come here.”
Bonenclark went onto explain her passion for soccer.
How did you end up at NSU?
“It was mostly because the coaches saw me at a tournament last year, about this time actually. It’s funny because my dad was actually here for work and came and saw NSU and was like, ‘Oh my gosh you have to go here.’ So, I looked into it, and they had my program. I’m a dual admit for the physician assistant program, which is interesting to me. I’m a bio major, so that’s big here…Listening to Coach John talk, his vision for the program, it gets you really involved and you want to do well.”
When did you start playing soccer?
“When I was four.”
Are there any professional players you look up to?
“The whole American professional league. It’s awesome to me because it just started coming around, like the women. Those who forged the way, it’s awesome to watch them do that.”
How do you balance being a student and an athlete?
“It’s a little different in college, but since we’ve been doing it, I actually practiced an hour and 20 minutes away from my home when I was in high school. I have a little bit of practice in time management. But, it’s just all time management. I have a planner that’s full all the time. Studying when you can, basically.”
What’s the hardest part of soccer?
“I don’t know what the hardest part would be. I mean a lot of people say, ‘Oh my gosh, how do you do all that running?’ but it’s a lot of fun. I love it. I don’t really have a specific negative.”
What’s the most rewarding part about soccer?
“I think for me it’s the family that you’re built into, like our team just becomes a family, even though we have 26 freshmen and 29 new players, it’s building a team. Twenty-six freshmen is a lot to have on any team. Twenty-nine new players and only four returners. It’s quite the feat Coach John did to recruit all of us to come here.”
When you’re not playing soccer, do you have any hobbies?
“It’s a lot of soccer and a lot of school. I mean, the usual, I like to hang out with my friends and listen to music and things like that. I like to read.”
