The 3rd Keeper: Professional Soccer
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My name is Kaycee Boisvert (Gunion). I'm from San Diego, CA. I play goalkeeper and I am an aspiring professional women's soccer player. Let me tell you about my journey.
I graduated college at a small NAIA school called California State University at San Marcos in 2012. At that time, women's soccer leagues in America were less stable and its professional league folded that year. I decided I would pursue education instead and ended up getting my Doctor of Physical Therapy, graduating in 2016.
During these years I played for an amazing organization called the San Diego Sea Lions , a semi-professional/amateur women's team in the WPSL. There I accomplished a Championship title in 2013 and multiple post-season appearances as the starting goalkeeper. However, I always had an itch to try and play professionally.
After last year I decided to take the leap and tried out at multiple professional women's teams in the NWSL. First, it was the Washington DC Spirit, denied. Then, flew the next day to Houston for the Houston Dash open tryout... again... denied. A week later, I flew yet again to Seattle to be denied entry into a pre-season camp.
As a final effort I flew across country one more time to New Jersey and on Valentine’s Day tried out for Sky Blue FC . I was asked back for the second day of tryouts and then with little hope left in my heart and prepared to be denied once again… MY NUMBER WAS ACTUALLY CALLED!!
I was ecstatic! However, I had flown all over the country, spent much of my savings I had put away while working as a Physical Therapist, and put money on credit cards to follow my dream of playing.
Once in camp, there were 5 keepers, 2 already contracted and 2 others from the open tryout and myself. They needed a 3rd keeper. I was fortunate enough to become that 3rd keeper in the end. However, there are drawbacks that come with being the 3rd keeper.
The 3rd Keeper
It is the untold story being the 3rd goalkeeper in the NWSL. The 3rd goalkeeper is a necessity for any professional team because it is a requirement of the league to always roster 2 goalkeepers and if one gets hurt the 3rd keeper steps in. Unfortunately, the 3rd goalkeeper is not contracted, makes no money, is not supplied a rental car, and is not medically insured. The role of the 3rd keeper is sacrificing a lot to play. If I was local, it would be easy, but being from San Diego it is very hard and as I said before, I had spent a lot of money already traveling across the country to chase this dream. I am 28 years old, older than most, the dream with sports to play only last so long.
I am currently waiting to get licensed in the state of New Jersey in order to work as a Physical Therapist while I am out here, but I am not sure this will be sufficient enough to cover all my costs as most my time is obligated to the team. Most importantly I will need help paying for a rental car for the next 4 months (June-Sept 2018) which will allow me to commute from my host family to practice, home games, and work.
This is where you lovely, wonderful, amazing, supportive individuals can help me continue to follow my dream. I would greatly appreciate anything you are willing to spare and if you cannot spare anything at this time, I would greatly appreciate you sharing my story.
I'm going to be sharing my journey on social media, feel free to follow me on Instagram @KCgunion , Twitter @KayceeGunion , or facebook @KCgunion .
For the Love of the game. Thank you for your support.
~Kaycee
I graduated college at a small NAIA school called California State University at San Marcos in 2012. At that time, women's soccer leagues in America were less stable and its professional league folded that year. I decided I would pursue education instead and ended up getting my Doctor of Physical Therapy, graduating in 2016.
During these years I played for an amazing organization called the San Diego Sea Lions , a semi-professional/amateur women's team in the WPSL. There I accomplished a Championship title in 2013 and multiple post-season appearances as the starting goalkeeper. However, I always had an itch to try and play professionally.
After last year I decided to take the leap and tried out at multiple professional women's teams in the NWSL. First, it was the Washington DC Spirit, denied. Then, flew the next day to Houston for the Houston Dash open tryout... again... denied. A week later, I flew yet again to Seattle to be denied entry into a pre-season camp.
As a final effort I flew across country one more time to New Jersey and on Valentine’s Day tried out for Sky Blue FC . I was asked back for the second day of tryouts and then with little hope left in my heart and prepared to be denied once again… MY NUMBER WAS ACTUALLY CALLED!!
I was ecstatic! However, I had flown all over the country, spent much of my savings I had put away while working as a Physical Therapist, and put money on credit cards to follow my dream of playing.
Once in camp, there were 5 keepers, 2 already contracted and 2 others from the open tryout and myself. They needed a 3rd keeper. I was fortunate enough to become that 3rd keeper in the end. However, there are drawbacks that come with being the 3rd keeper.
The 3rd Keeper
It is the untold story being the 3rd goalkeeper in the NWSL. The 3rd goalkeeper is a necessity for any professional team because it is a requirement of the league to always roster 2 goalkeepers and if one gets hurt the 3rd keeper steps in. Unfortunately, the 3rd goalkeeper is not contracted, makes no money, is not supplied a rental car, and is not medically insured. The role of the 3rd keeper is sacrificing a lot to play. If I was local, it would be easy, but being from San Diego it is very hard and as I said before, I had spent a lot of money already traveling across the country to chase this dream. I am 28 years old, older than most, the dream with sports to play only last so long.
I am currently waiting to get licensed in the state of New Jersey in order to work as a Physical Therapist while I am out here, but I am not sure this will be sufficient enough to cover all my costs as most my time is obligated to the team. Most importantly I will need help paying for a rental car for the next 4 months (June-Sept 2018) which will allow me to commute from my host family to practice, home games, and work.
This is where you lovely, wonderful, amazing, supportive individuals can help me continue to follow my dream. I would greatly appreciate anything you are willing to spare and if you cannot spare anything at this time, I would greatly appreciate you sharing my story.
I'm going to be sharing my journey on social media, feel free to follow me on Instagram @KCgunion , Twitter @KayceeGunion , or facebook @KCgunion .
For the Love of the game. Thank you for your support.
~Kaycee
Organizer
Kaycee Boisvert-Gunion
Organizer
El Cajon, CA