(Photo taken from Skidmore Athletics’ website)
Starting soccer at the age of five and having a father who played, Yasmin Boukari ‘21 has always considered the sport a big part of her life. Soccer was really big in her town, and as soon as she was old enough, Boukari tied up her first soccer cleats and never looked back. Even now, she thinks of her dad whenever she plays.
“My dad coached me and all my friends in town soccer through 8th grade. Not only has it been a huge part of my life, but it is a big part of my dad and I’s relationship. When I think of soccer, I think of my dad.” Now a junior on the Skidmore’s women’s soccer team, Boukari reflects on her experience with soccer and on this past season.
Although a big part of her life, Boukari didn’t fully commit to the idea of playing collegiate soccer until she was a sophomore in high school and began really looking at colleges to play at. After much thought the talented midfielder realized how much soccer meant to her, and decided to play in college.
“I couldn’t imagine not playing a sport,” she says. “It has always helped to keep me busy and because I am so competitive it was always something I enjoyed. As my high school career came closer and closer to an end, I knew I would be upset if I never got to play a ‘meaningful’ game again.”
Balancing school and sports at Skidmore was never hard for the business major, as it was something she always had to do. Participating in lacrosse, track and field, and soccer throughout her pre-college career, Boukari learned how to manage her time at an early age.
“There was never a day when I didn’t have anything to do,” she says. As a result, she says she always ends up doing better academically when in season. It forces her to get the work done in the small time frames that she has, rather than pushing it off and procrastinating. “As a result,” she says, “I end up being way more productive and efficient.”
And this efficiency extends on the field as well. Her freshman year (2017), Boukari became an asset to the team, playing in all 14 games, and tailing a league and team high of 50 total shots — about 3.75 per game — leading her to become known as the most efficient freshman in the league.
By her sophomore year, Boukari was already a stand-out player and played in all 15 games, leading the team with 15 points. She also earned All-Liberty League First Team, Liberty League All-Academic Team, and Liberty League Honor Roll twice. This season she earned a spot on the Liberty League Honor Roll two times.
When asked how this past season went, Boukari responded, “our season started off very strong. We have such great potential on our team. However, as we got into conference play, the season started to go downhill.”
She explains that the team suffered injuries in key players, causing them to be out for the season. This demanded that other players step into big roles and play the entire 90 minute game. “Naturally, by the end of the season, everyone is usually burnt out and starting to have injuries; but, this has been amplified this year.”
She emphasized that although their overall record (6-6-2) was “not too bad,” the team’s Liberty League play record (1-6) was “really bad.” When asked to speak on this, Boukari said “I truly do not think that our in conference record reflects our team at all whatsoever. Not only do we have a lot of injuries, but we also are a very young team to begin with.”
The team consisted of one senior with the underclassmen making up more than three-fourths of the team and the starting lineup. Despite the conference set-back, Boukari remains hopeful and already has high expectations for next season, and thinks the team has the potential to go far into the playoffs.
Regardless of what the team’s record is, Boukari always goes into a game feeling excited. Trying not to get too much into her own head, Boukari likes to focus on redemption or motivation.
“Depending on our history with that team, my feelings change going into a game. If we lost to them the year prior I am excited for another chance to try and beat them, and if we won against them the year before, I am motivated to beat them again showing them it was not a fluke or anything of that nature.”
And to do this, Boukari tries to just focus on the game and not to overthink things. This includes a strict pregame ritual, which she says changes based on the time and intensity of the game. Boukari marks Uncommon Grounds as her “pregame spot” before the game, and always tries to get the same order. “I’m not a very superstitious person, so it doesn’t matter if I eat the same meal or not. I just like it if I can.”
Strict ritual or not, soccer will always be a big part of who Boukari is — even after college when she is possibly no longer playing. “I can’t imagine not playing soccer. I love the team aspect of it, and it constantly fuels and satisfies my competitiveness. Even the games in the pouring rain that sucked in the moment have their memories that I wouldn’t trade for anything.”