After goalkeeper Aurie Echevarría — formerly Aurie Briscoe — graduated from Butler, the men’s soccer team had three goalies in contention for the starting spot, none of whom had played in a collegiate game.
When goalkeeper coach Alexis Diaz arrived on campus in February, his first task was finding a starter for head coach Ian Sarachan.
“The whole process was talking to Ian a lot — getting to know the head coach and what he needed out of a goalkeeper — and then looking at our three guys and deciding who fit that model the best,” Diaz said. “When we actually got into training, it was more of like, ‘Okay, who’s going to be the guy who has the personality, the attitude [and] the work effort?’”
Over the next two months, Diaz worked to train and develop the trio — redshirt juniors Brooks Boersma and Jameson Metz and redshirt first-year Inigo Esmanech — as much as he could before summer.
During preseason, Boersma, Metz and Esmanech each had a chance to star in the three exhibition games the Dawgs played.
While competing for the spot, the unit supported each other through every step. Boersma credited their connection and relationship for pushing him to work hard.
“I think every day, all three of us showed up with the right mindset,” Boersma said. “Everyone knew that the starting spot was open and we all just competed with each other. [We knew] the other two would make the one who was playing better. I think it’s a good unit.”
After evaluating how much each goalkeeper improved from February to August, a starter was named — and it was Boersma.
One of the longest-tenured Bulldogs on the team, the Haslett, Mich. native was on the sidelines his first three years as the Dawgs had more experienced goalkeepers in Caleb Norris and Briscoe. Despite the wait, Boersma bided his time and stayed ready for any opportunity.
During that time, he picked up a plethora of tips and tricks from his two older teammates, and believed their experience helped him grow into the goalkeeper he is today.
“Our goalie units are always good,” Boersma said. “They try to push the starter. [During] my three years of being on the bench, I just tried to help the one who was playing be the best they could be. Learning from that and having the two other goalies push me to become better helped a lot. [Norris and Briscoe] were older [and] they played with a lot of younger guys, so [I picked up] that experience factor of trying to command the team in the box.”
With his last competitive game coming in high school, Boersma had to quickly adapt to college soccer and shake off any nerves. Although he did not record a save in his first game against Northern Illinois, the goalie bounced back against Bradley and saved the singular shot on goal he faced to end the game 0-0.
By the time the Bulldogs headed to Bloomington to take on No. 2 Indiana — then ranked No. 14 — Boersma was comfortable in his role and put on the performance of his career in just his third game, tying the program record for fourth-most saves in a game with 13.
“I didn’t really know what the record was or anything,” Boersma said. “I was just going about it. I know in the first half I had 10 saves, and [when] I looked back at the scoreboard at halftime, I was like, ‘Whoa, 10 is a lot.’ Then in the second half, the number kept going up, but the number on the scoreboard couldn’t do double digits, so it was only a two [and] it was kind of confusing. But it was pretty fun and surreal that [I] tied a record. You don’t really have that every day.”
Boersma’s record-tying performance came in front of a large Hoosier crowd, which motivated him to perform harder.
“[Tying it] on the road against Indiana is [especially] nice,” Boersma said. “Having [an audience of 3,080] people there makes you want to play a little bit better.”
More recently, Butler traveled to face Big East foe No. 17 Akron — then ranked No. 6 — on Sept. 18, and Boersma showcased his skills once again. The Zips made 22 shots, eight of which were on goal and all saved by the goalie to keep the game scoreless.
Sophomore defender Kiel Higginson, one of two defenders who has started in every game this season for the Dawgs, said Boersma’s performances against ranked opponents instilled faith in a team still looking for its first win.
“Indiana gave us a lot of [confidence],” Higginson said. “I think we faced 17 shots that game, and he did great. The one goal we conceded, in my opinion, was probably the worst chance of the bunch and [the] least likely to score. [Then at] Akron, he made all the saves he needed to make. [The defense] did the best making those shots as easy as possible for him and [he] did his job.”
Higginson referred to the goalkeeper as a stable presence in the net, and knows Boersma will always support the team through the game’s constant ebbs and flows.
“You feel safe and secure, and you can’t ask for more when somebody behind you [has] your back as much as you got theirs,” Higginson said. “We put our best foot forward for him and I know he’ll do exactly the same for us, so that’s why it works so well.”
Both Diaz and Higginson describe Boersma as someone who is driven and pushes himself hard. His relentless work ethic stemmed from his dad, who took on every day with a smile and worked hard, and those values eventually became instilled in the goalie.
His father instilled more than a work ethic in him — he also instilled a love of soccer. With a soccer coach for a dad, Boersma grew up around the game, leading him to play at a young age. He was also the inspiration for Boersma to play at goalkeeper.
Boersma’s father passed away in January following an eight-year battle with cancer. Even though he no longer has the physical presence of his dad with him, Boersma continues to rely on him for support.
“My dad was a huge inspiration [to me],” Boersma said. “It’s unfortunate he can’t be here with us anymore, but he always gives me strength. On the field, I look up to him [and] he’s always there with me. I’m always thankful for him.”
As the Dawgs enter the second half of the season and start Big East play, Boersma remains committed to being a reliable presence in net for the team. As of Sept. 29, he currently ranks seventh in the Big East and 65th nationally with 30 saves, fourth in the Big East for saves per game and earned Big East Goalkeeper of the Week twice for his performances against Indiana and Akron.
Despite facing challenges as a player and person over the last four years, Boersma remains grateful for the chance to represent Butler on the pitch and hopes to close the year out strong.
“I’ve had a lot of ups and downs, whether [it’s with] school, personal stuff [or] soccer,” Boersma said. “I’m a completely different person than [when] I came here, and I’m super happy that I [did]. Butler gave [me] a lot of opportunities, whether [it’s] internships for school or the ability to play in the Big East, [to] put your name out there and have all these awards come your way. [I] just want to [continue to] be here for the people around [me].”