Highlands grad Jaci Bowser will be driving force in growth of Clarion women's soccer

To be clear: The Clarion football team has not approached Jaci Bowser about becoming its kicker. Not yet, at least.

Bowser, a senior on the Golden Eagles women’s soccer team, gained a measure of fame around the WPIAL for being one of the few girls to kick in varsity football games. Third-year women’s soccer coach Alexa Ream said Bowser still keeps a football in her locker and kicks and “throws touchdown passes” whenever she gets a chance.

Bowser, a Highlands grad, said an offer from the football team would be tempting.

“That would be something, though, if they did,” she said. “I really did enjoy playing football and kicking, but I chose soccer.”

Her soccer task at the moment is helping Ream elevate the Golden Eagles to a PSAC contender. Clarion has had women’s soccer since 2004, a relatively short time, but in that time, the team hasn’t had a winning season.

Ream, herself a former Clarion soccer player, believes the team is closer than ever to being competitive in the conference. Last season’s victory over Slippery Rock, a first for the Golden Eagles, was evidence.

If Clarion is to take another step forward in 2022, Ream is counting on Bowser to be a big part of the effort.

“My initial impression of Jaci (when I got hired) still stands today but probably stronger and more of an emphasized impression,” Ream said. “She’s a player that, when you say gives 110% … I would say she is the epitome of that. I have yet to see a day when Jaci is not fully bought in, fully giving her entire self to anything we’re doing.”

Bowser, a forward, was voted a team captain this season, an honor Ream said was well-deserved. She said Bowser manages to strike the perfect balance between being competitive and hardworking and the need to keep things light and fun.

“I’m just trying to be a leader to the underclassmen both on and off the field,” Bowser said. “I try to lead by example. I try to bring as much energy as I can on the field, off the field, just for the underclassmen to look up to.”

But Ream expects Bowser’s contributions to go beyond intangibles. She will count on Bowser to score goals as well as set up her teammates with opportunities to score.

Bowser came into the season with only two goals in 25 career matches, but in Clarion’s season opener, she equaled half her career goal total. Her tally in the 60th minute pulled the Golden Eagles even with Wheeling at 2-2, and Katelyn Shaffer’s goal in the 68th minute gave Clarion (1-3, 0-2 PSAC) a 3-2 victory.

“It was nice to score in the first game,” Bowser said. “I think that’s going to help me work harder to keep scoring, keep helping my teammates to be successful, get more assists this year, get more goals. That was a nice icebreaker.”

Ream said Bowser doesn’t have to score goals to help the team win. She does a variety of jobs well that can help facilitate offense.

“She’s a player that will work hard in the midfield, win the ball back for you, attack with the ball at her feet,” Ream said. “She’s a player that can drive and dribble, and she has great feet. She’s a player we encourage to dribble, turn, keep going toward the goal, get involved in the final third (of the field).”

Bowser is confident this year’s team can be more competitive — perhaps more than any of its predecessors. Though the roster has its share of freshmen and sophomores, Bowser sees plenty of potential.

She said she is planning on using her “free” covid year of eligibility next season, so there will be plenty of time to help the program grow. A winning season would be nice, but leaving the program better than she found it would be just as rewarding for Bowser.

“I think just competing, and we definitely want to have more wins than losses,” Bowser said when asked about her goals for the team. “I think that’s been a struggle for Clarion, is trying to win more games.

“It would mean a lot, especially as a senior. I think it would be great and good for recruiting. (A winning season) would be just a better look for Clarion soccer.”