Behind the Scenes of the Mountain West Leading Boise State Soccer Team

In front of a healthy crowd at the Boas Soccer Complex, the Boise State soccer team continued their home win streak with a 2-1 over Wyoming on Sunday, Sept. 30. Behind the scenes, the women went through their normal series of rituals, which included “feeding the horse,” banging on lockers and getting in both a hot and cold tub.

A home game either starts at 1 p.m. or 4 p.m., depending on the day. On Sunday home games, the kickoff is almost always at 1 p.m., which means about a 9 a.m. wake up for the players.

“I set my alarm for the latest possible time, but always get up on my own before that,” said Emily Curry, a junior midfielder from Loomis, California. “Our whole house (of soccer players) gets up around 9:30 a.m.”

The pre-game breakfast consensus is some combination of eggs, whether that be a sandwich or scramble. The team is not required to be at the complex until 11 a.m., or two hours before the first kick, which gives them plenty of time to relax. This almost always include some sort of movie.

“We watched Pirates of the Caribbean today before the game,” said Mckenna Kynett, a junior midfielder from Minden, Nevada. “Johnny Depp gets us pretty fired up for the game.”

Once they get to the complex, the players begin game preparation by getting treatment from the athletic trainers. This includes getting ankles taped, muscles prepped and more specific treatments for those dealing with nagging injuries. This is also when they get in the hot tub to warm their muscles, not to lounge.

After treatment, the music comes on, which can be anything from Gwen Stefani to Cardi B. During this time, the players will also braid each other’s hair.

“Mikayla (Schachtell) does my hair,” Kynett said. “She pretty much does everyone’s hair before the game.”

This lasts for about a half hour until they have to meet with head coach Jim Thomas to discuss the game.

After the meeting, about an hour until game time, the players begin to gather their jerseys, heart rate monitors and all other things that they will need for the warmup and the game. But not before one final song, usually “The Middle” by Zedd, with all the lights off and a disco ball going in the locker room.

“We do a clap chant that the seniors start and then we all join in,” said Ashleigh Harrison, a redshirt sophomore forward from Miranda, California. “At the end we’ll all be clapping, and the seniors will be banging on the lockers. That’s gets us ready to go play.”

Heading out to field, as ritual, they slap the Bronco sign, similar to Notre Dame’s football pre-game sign touch, but not before “feeding the horse.” This involves a small horse statue outside the locker room who is fed grass by the first person leaving the locker room.

“Everyone touches the horse statue after it’s been fed,” Curry said. “Then we head to the field.”

After about 45 minutes of warm ups, the game is finally ready to begin.

Like most games this season, Boise State came out on top versus Wyoming, 2-1. Similar to other games, Raimee Sherlee was the scorer for the Broncos, putting away two goals, which tied the conference goal record at 41.

Following the handshake line, the team has about 10 minutes to speak to fans, parents and friends, and sign autographs. After a short meeting with Coach Thomas, they return to the locker room for more treatment and to eat a post-game snack.

“We have to eat protein and trail mix 15 minutes after the game,” Harrison said.

Fifteen minutes is the standard time frame following a game or exercise that an athlete needs protein to promote proper recovery. In a further effort to recover, the players will also get in an ice bath for at least 10 minutes.

To follow is usually a catered meal, often from Noodles and Company, that is always some kind of pasta.

“We gotta carb up,” Kynett said.

During the meal, they will usually watch other games from around the conference to keep an eye on the competition. Boise State currently leads the conference with a perfect 4-0 record, followed by San Jose State (3-1) and Colorado College (3-1).

Finally, following the team meal, players are free to leave. Often times parents will come to support their daughters during a two-game homestand.

“After, we sometimes will see our parents,” Curry said. “This usually means another dinner.”

Mondays are off for the Broncos, meaning no film, weights or practice. Looming, however, is a road trip to the Southwest, where they will face New Mexico (2-2) and then SDSU (2-1-1) two days later.

The next home game for the Broncos is a matchup with Fresno State on Friday, Oct.19. The first kick will be at 4 p.m. at the Boas Soccer Complex.