#NationalSigningDay2022: Catherine Bowers scores a spot at Cal U

On February 2, Catherine Bowers signed her National Letter of Intent to play soccer for the California University of Pennsylvania, NCAA Division II Women’s soccer.

Bowers has been playing soccer for seven years. From recreation to travel teams, Bowers has a wide variety of experience and is more than ready to use it to further her athletic career.

She has been playing on high school varsity for two years.

Her teammates know her as having unmatchable foot skills and a good eye for the field. Several coaches have recognized her ability to work well with players and her quality leadership skills.

“Catherine is my best friend on and off the field. Watching her play is one of my favorite things because she gains so much confidence. It’s so much fun watching her take on players and break ankles,” her teammate Emma Pratchios said.

“Of the four years of coaching her, this season had to be my favorite. Catherine has always been a driven player. Sustaining multiple ankle injuries over the years, Catherine was still able to be a threat in the midfield. She doesn’t let anything get in the way of her successes. She played in all 13 games this past season and was constantly putting in the effort at practices to earn a starting spot throughout the season,” Coach Paige Pohopin said.

After overcoming an injury that landed her in a boot junior year, she put in the effort and came back even stronger than ever.

“In March of 2021, I tore my anterior fibular ligament in my ankle which was a bit of a setback because it was in the middle of the recruitment process and I couldn’t get my surgery until the end of May,” Bowers said. 

“Luckily I was able to come back for high school soccer. What I did to help me bounce back from this injury was going to physical therapy, pushing myself through the pain, gaining my strength back, regaining my balance, and mobility.”

When Bowers first started playing soccer, she didn’t think she was good enough to play in college, but when she was pulled up to a higher level team in eighth grade, it boosted her confidence in herself and her soccer abilities.

Being on the high school soccer team and club soccer she kept getting better and better. She thinks club soccer prepared her for college-level soccer.

“Some of the coaches I’ve had were college coaches so we did drills that college-level players would do,” Bowers said.

Bowers was scouted by Cal U’s women’s soccer coach.

“He watched some of my films and emailed me,” Bowers said. “I think I stood out to the coaches because I was determined to score and I never gave up. I always fight for the ball.”

 “I met up with the coach after he found me and took a tour of the school. I loved it,” Bowers said. “Everyone is very nice and friendly, and it’s not far from different places,” 

Bowers visited a lot of other schools. 

“I went with her on every campus visit. I think we visited twelve campuses.  I let her take the lead and ask the questions to decide for herself if it is someplace that she sees herself living for four years,” Catherine’s mom Michelle Bowers said. “With playing a college sport you never know if an injury will end your ability to play so it was important for her to pick a school that fit Every aspect of what she was looking for in a university.”

Bowers saw herself happily at the California University of Pennsylvania.

Even though she is prepared she is still nervous to play.

“The competitiveness and the strength of the other girls are very nerve-racking. They are older and have more experience,” Bowers said. “I think I’ll create more opportunities for my future teammates to score, and I’ll put the ball in the back of the net.”

Bowers’s biggest supporter is her mom.

“She’ll do anything to be there to watch me play, and whatever the cost is, she’ll find a way to make it happen. Like tournaments and Florida for example,” Bowers said.

Bowers is a straight-A student and has perfect attendance. She is also the vice president of the Environmental Club, a member of The Class of 2022 club, Key Club, Yearbook, National Honor Society, and National Science Honor Society. 

She is planning in health sciences to become a physician’s assistant.

“I chose Cal U because it’s a safe environment and has majors I’m interested in. I liked how academics come first and athletics come second in their program, and they are dedicated to making sure you do well in school,” Bowers said.

Her mom will miss her very much and is proud.

“I most admire that she is independent and a go-getter. She is willing to try things even if it may make her feel a little uncomfortable. I love that she is dedicated and a hard worker who will give one hundred percent. She is a very caring and loving daughter. I am very excited to see what the future holds for her. Go Vulcans,” Ms. Bowers said. “The hardest thing for me Will is not seeing her every day in the home that she grew up in and to find out how her day has gone. I am looking forward to seeing her out on the playing field.”

Bower’s coaches are excited to see what the future holds for her and wish her all the best.

“I can’t wait to come to watch you further your career in Pennsylvania,” Coach Paige said.