Defender Jessica Boots takes charge of back line as sophomore

As a freshman starter last year, Jessica Boots didn’t have to be a leader. She just had to do her job. But now, she is being called upon to lead early in her career.\n“(Being a leader) is a big challenge and is definitely something I am having to step into and take day-by-day, game-by-game,” Jessica Boots said. “Last year, we had a senior in the back line so she did a lot of the talking. Now I am having to step over and take her position.”\nJessica Boots started at defense in all 20 games last year for the IU women’s soccer team and was instrumental in the defense that allowed a school record-low of 15 goals against.\n“(The leadership in last year) is night and day,” IU coach Mick Lyon said. “She came in last year as one of two freshmen starting, so she just did her job last year. (Boots) was very proficient in what she did, but she wasn’t vocal. This year she has just taken over.”\nThe transition to becoming a leader started for Jessica Boots over the summer when she invited IU forward Kristin Arnold and midfielders Nikki Bonacorsi, Christie Kostynski and Natalie O’Bryan to play on her club team in Carmel, Ind.\nBoots’ father, Ron Boots, was the manager of that team, so he worked closely with the coach in organizing practices and road trips. Ron Boots said each of the players grew over the summer from the rigorous practice and competition.\n“The six that are playing for the IU team now each got different things out of (playing on the club team),” Ron Boots said. “Natalie O’Bryan got playing time, for example, and practice against really good players. Nikki Bonacorsi is coming back from foot surgery, so it gave her an opportunity to really work hard over the summer and play against good teams. It allowed Boots, Kotynski and Arnold to play together more, and play off of each other and understand where they like to receive the ball and what to expect out of them.”\nThe club’s defense, anchored by Jessica Boots, only allowed four goals in as many games on its way to winning the U-19 United States Youth Soccer Association National Championship.\n“I think (playing on the club team) gave us a chance to get to know each other better,” Jessica Boots said. “Obviously we’re here with 30 girls, but on that club team, there is a lot more one-on-one time, and I got to know the girls more than I ever did here.”\nJessica Boots’ leadership on the back line will be vital to the Hoosiers’ success during the tough Big Ten season.\n“Every game is going to be a challenge, and that’s why I’m excited for it,” Jessica Boots said of the Big Ten season. “It will really test our team to see how well we are and if we can come back day-after-day and prove to ourselves and everyone else around us that we can really do (well).”\nJessica Boots said the game she is looking forward to the most in the Big Ten season is IU’s rivalry game with Purdue, because a lot of her family went there, including her father.\n“Actually, I did (go to Purdue), my wife went to Purdue, both my brothers and my father-in-law played football at Purdue,” Ron Boots said. “In Jessica’s case, soccer was involved. She just felt like this was a good fit for her from a soccer point-of-view as well as from a school (point-of-view), and it has been a good fit, both academically and soccer.”\nRon Boots said he always pulls for the Hoosiers instead of the Boilermakers, at least when the women’s soccer teams and his daughter are on the field.\n“Of course, I know who butters my bread,” Ron Boots said. “I catch so much grief. If I go to West Lafayette, I catch grief. If I come to Bloomington, I catch grief.”\nThe first game of the Big Ten season is Sept. 28, when Northwestern comes to Bill Armstrong Stadium.