25
Mar
The Bellism of Women’s Pro Soccer
by Kenzie Rochelle
1 Comment | Posted by thatgirl in Making Waves
As bellists, we characterize ourselves as women who are working toward the same goal, who recognize that we may not be equal but our combined strengths and weaknesses make us a force to reckon with, and, once and for all, we are on the same team. What better place to see that mentality at work than literally on a team. 
A sports team, that is. And with the new Women’s Professional Soccer League kicking off this weekend, we have the perfect candidates: members of the Los Angeles team, Sol (Spanish for “sun”).
With a team full of national elite players (like Shannon Boxx of the U.S. and Marta of Brazil), very experienced players (like Camille Abily of France and Stephanie Cox of the U.S.), and, of course, the rookies (like Notre Dame grad Brittany Bock, Stanford grad Allison Falk, and UCLA grad Val Henderson), a brand new soccer team seems like the perfect place for egos to clash and cleats to tear…but they don’t.
We spoke with the rookies and got an overwhelming sense of team camaraderie despite the fact that season was yet to start. Each girl loved to speak about the team bonding that occurred, especially with the internationals. Brittany Bock said, “One day after practice we were having a French lesson in the locker room. Another day we were giving Han [Duan, of China] driving lessons. You know, red means stop.” Bock loves the give as well as the take of having so many cultures in such a small space and the ability to teach and to learn drives her interactions.
The same could be said of these players on the field. Surprisingly, none of the rookies we spoke to really felt like rookies. Val Henderson admitted to having a low confidence level going into preseason. But all that changed when she met her new teammates and started playing with them in an informal setting at the UCLA fields before entering into their official Sol team training. “As a result, I felt a lot more ready,” she said. “And I was really a lot more excited than anything.” Just being together, playing together, strengthens and encourages confidence in these women, these teammates.
Still, as the younger, less experienced players, they do have players they look up to on the field. Allison Falk mentioned what a joy it was to get to play with Kendall Fletcher and Stephanie Cox on the Sol defense (both of whom have played on the U.S. National squad). Falk added, “It’s great just to be able to learn from them and help me help the team.”
Bock, a midfielder, noted the influence of Shannon Boxx, who had only arrived to team training some 24 hours before we met with Brittany. Watching the Sol play in a scrimmage against FC Gold, we immediately noted the halftime chat Boxx initiated with Bock and the intensity on Bock’s face as she focused on the suggestions provided. One day in and Boxx was already making a point to help her teammates however she could
It’s a unique concept that exists on a soccer field or really amongst any team of athletes. They understand that their jobs are to work cohesively so as to exaggerate the others’ strengths, to provide support when it’s needed, encouragement constantly, and celebration whenever possible. And it’s a concept which, if we pay a little closer attention, wouldn’t be quite so unique. Hook up with your local bellists, and you can have it, too.
Follow the Sol in the inaugural match of the WPS on Sunday afternoon, 3pm PT, Fox Soccer Channel. Or log onto womenssoccer.com to find out how to get tickets for your local team.
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Allison Falk
Hometown:Danville, CA
College: Stanford
Position: Defender
My friends describe me as: tall, funny
My teammates describe me as: giant
My motto is: “Give it Your All”
My biggest challenge was: developing as a player at Stanford
If I could play any other sport, it would be: basketball
If I were not a professional athlete, I would be: a lawyer
A woman I really look up to is: Kristine Lilly
My favorite comfort food is: chocolate
Do you ever miss your mom? Yes, when things are going rough.
I feel most confident: on the soccer field when I make a great play or when I score a goal.
I feel most beautiful when: people tell me I am.
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Brittany Bock
Hometown:Naperville, IL
College: Notre Dame
Position: Midfielder
My friends describe me as: goofy
My teammates describe me as: intense, determined
My motto is: “Always Believe”
My biggest challenge was: confidence
If I could play any other sport, it would be: basketball
If I were not a professional athlete, I would be: struggling
A woman I really look up to is: my grandma
My favorite comfort food is: cereal
Do you ever miss your mom? Yes. Always. She’s been there for me always. I thank her for that.
I feel most confident when: I have people who believe in me.
I feel most beautiful when: I’m happy.
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Val Henderson
Hometown:Orinda, CA
College: UCLA
Position: Goalkeeper
My friends describe me as: crazy, loud, loyal, competitive, fun
My teammates describe me as: strong
My motto is: “Go Big or Go Home”
My greatest success is: yet to come
If I could play any other sport, it would be: football
If I were not a professional athlete, I would be: in another country
My favorite comfort food is: Diddy Riese
Do you ever miss your mom? Yeah, I do when I’m hungry. No, when I see something that reminds me of her or a situation that she would appreciate
I feel most confident when: my teammates are confident in me.
I feel most beautiful when: I’m smiling.