More Than a Game: UNC Women’s Club Soccer

Strap in your shin-guards, tighten your cleats and hit the back of the net. Women’s soccer at the University of Northern Colorado doesn’t just stop at the collegiate level.

The UNC Women’s Club Soccer team, through UNC Club Sports, isn’t just a way to continue the game of soccer, it’s an opportunity to get involved with student life.

“Join the team,” said Jessie Rieken, a senior in business administration. “Even if you’re on the border, at least come out for tryouts. It’s a great place to meet people and it’s a great place to be if you have a passion for soccer, to continue that without having to commit an absurd amount of your time.”

Rieken is a 4th year member of the squad, now leading her team as one of the two captains. She also serves as the treasurer for the club.

“Even if you’ve never played soccer before or you only have a few years' experience, still come out,” she said. “Meet all the girls, meet the coaches. I think there’s a stigma that it’s competitive but it’s very flexible and everyone works around schedules. We want the student to come first. We have your best interest at heart.”

“Club sports has been an amazing outlet,” said RaeAnne Fooks. “I juggle a lot of things at once. I work full-time, I’m in school full-time, I do club sports, and I have an officer position.”

Fooks is the current president of the women’s soccer club, having been nominated last spring. She is a senior majoring in Recreation Tourism Hospitality and has a minor in sports coaching.

“I understand that club sports can be overwhelming,” she said. “But I will say that there hasn’t ever been a time where I’ve shown up where I haven’t felt like it wasn’t worth it. I think a lot of college students forget the importance of being active and getting outside.”

The team takes part in the Region V Rocky Mountain Collegiate Soccer League. Their games are typically on weekends, from early Saturday mornings to late Sunday night matches, taking on teams across Colorado and neighboring states.

“We usually have six to 12 games in the fall season,” Rieken said. “It kind of ranges. We play Wyoming, Mines, sometimes UCCS, DU, New Mexico and MESA. It’s a lot of local teams, but it also brings in that competitiveness. It’s not just scrimmaging, there are true game aspects as well.”

There are many opportunities for tournaments throughout the fall season. At the beginning of the season, CU Boulder hosts their invitational cup and near the end of the season, teams in the league have the chance to take part in Regionals and Nationals.

“I definitely think it gives an opportunity for team bonding, to go on these trips with the team,” Rieken said.

The soccer club, as players have discovered, isn’t just another chance to play their favorite sport, it’s an opportunity to expand their social life and discover life skills.

“I think clubs in general are a fantastic way to learn leadership and how to navigate difficult situations,” Fooks said. “I’ve developed really good life skills because of not only being on the team, but also being an officer.”

Not only is soccer a team sport, but friendships are built along the way. The girls want students to know that there is nothing wrong with trying something new.

“Always go in with an open mind,” Fooks said. “I’ve made really, really good friends here that I will carry on into my life after college. Go in with the idea that you’re going to meet a lot of different people from different walks of life and just embrace that. You’re only in college for four years, so join and learn as many things as you can. If you put your all into it, it’ll be worth it.”

“I joined freshman year to meet new people but to also keep playing soccer,” Rieken said. “I met a lot of friends and kept in touch with them and just continued to come back because not only did it serve as a stress relief, but it was a good way to get away from school. I have a group of friends that aren’t in my major and just share the same passion as me.”

If you’re interested in joining a club team, the women’s soccer club is looking at hosting spring tryouts. If you can’t make those, fall tryouts and kick-arounds take place at the start of each fall semester. The team is also considering expanding their season into the spring, hosting scrimmages and practices, with the possibility of a tournament.

Club sports are held through the UNC Campus Recreation. For more information on club sports, visit https://www.unco.edu/campus-recreation/club-sports/.

For information on the women’s soccer team, visit their Instagram page @unco.womens.clubsoccer.

“I’ve been playing soccer since I was four years old,” Rieken said. “I’ve grown up playing competitive soccer, so the aspect that there was still a competitive nature within this club, it wasn’t necessarily just for fun, it helped a lot, and it reminded me why I still played the game.”