WOODBURY — The October air was crisp and the vibrant leaves were rustling as a Thomaston girls soccer player gears up to kick the ball towards the goal, where its keeper, Nonnewaug sophomore Jocelyn McDougall, guards the net.
“They [Thomaston] sailed it to the far back post, upper 90, and I remember Brutting and I were holding our breath. We’re like, uh-oh, that’s on frame,” said Nonnewaug soccer assistant coach Rebecca Pope. “And Jocelyn somehow got her hands on it and that was a defining moment of that game because Thomaston really didn’t get another look.”
Nonnewaug won 3-1 in the Oct. 24 game against Thomaston for the BL (Berkshire League) semi-finals. This win sent them on their way to win the BL finals – and it wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for McDougall.
“If that went in, that would have shifted the game and might have cost us that chance to play in the finals,” Pope continues.
“I was really nervous at first because it was a good kick, but then I kind of just went for it,” said McDougall. “I was so excited after because I was doubting myself and there was no need for me to because I was able to save it.”
There have been many remarkable saves similar to that during Jocelyn’s soccer career, which helps her love the game even more. But she hasn’t always had the same love for soccer. In her early years, Jocelyn had played soccer, but when she moved from Southbury to Seymour, she stopped. McDougall ended up moving back to Southbury and started soccer back up again.
“I tried soccer again in middle school and I just ended up sticking with it and continuing my career and growing more of a love for it,” said McDougall. “My mom has always been really supportive in my choices and always is willing to let me try new things, and that’s how I fell in love with soccer. My older sister, Braelyn, has also always been there for me after a tough loss to make me feel better.”
With the encouragement from both her mom and her sister, Jocelyn was inspired to work hard for good outcomes – despite some setbacks from injuries.
“In my freshman year, I got a major concussion, and it set me back a lot,” said McDougall. “It took four months for me to get back into diving to save the ball, but once I started to get my confidence mentality back, it made me just want to become even better to overcome my previous struggles.”
Even after a costly injury, Jocelyn was still determined to play and practice her best.
“Jocelyn is very technical. She pays great attention to the details of the finer parts of goalkeeping,” said Pope. “She also has this fearlessness that you need to be a goalie, where if it’s Housy’s [Housatonic’s] best player coming at her one on one, Jocelyn’s gonna take her out. So if you combine her technicality and her fearlessness, that’s the recipe for a great player.”
Consequently, Jocelyn has made the roster for multiple prestigious teams and it’s all due to her impressive work ethic and skill.
“I’ve recently tried out for ODP (Olympic Development Program), which is definitely a hard team to be on, and I just found out that I made it,” said McDougall. “I’m excited for all the opportunities it’s going to bring me to go play in different places.”
Not only that, Jocelyn made another elite team, on top of playing for ODP U16 team.
“The other team I recently started playing for this winter and this upcoming spring is the Rush Select 08 team – a part of the ECNL League – which is definitely a big league in Connecticut with a lot of good players. It brings more opportunities for me to be recognized by colleges and just noticed more,” she explains. “I’ve been very successful so far on both of these teams, and it’s definitely bringing more challenges, but it’s helping me become better and have a stronger mentality.”
McDougall also may be playing for the 09 Rush Select team this year, adding more to her already busy schedule. Despite how much Jocelyn has on her plate, she is still able to stay persistent and inspire others along the way.
Nonnewaug freshman, Delani Packett, another goalkeeper on the Nonnewaug soccer team, admires McDougal’s skill and dedication.
“She’s a really good goalie, and I’ve always looked up to her because she has so much determination in each play,” said Packett. “She’s always willing to go down and get dirty, to dive and play the ball, and she’s not afraid of getting hurt. She has really been a role model for me and has taught me so much – more than a lot of coaches have.”
McDougall brings her focused attitude off and especially on the field.
“During games, I get kind of stressed out sometimes, but I just remember to relax and remember that my teammates are there with me, God is there with me, and that I will just do well and play to the best of my ability,” McDougall says.
Packett also notes how McDougall is “always putting full effort into everything she does.” This is a key aspect that really defines McDougall as an overall person.
Jocelyn has big dreams and is looking forward to her bright future.
“I’m hoping to continue ODP and play for Rush Select to make my skills even better and just keep practicing,” said McDougall. “My goal after high school is to hopefully go D1 for college.”
As McDougall strives to reach her goals, she will continue to keep up her hard work.
“Jocelyn is relentless. She loves goalkeeping,” said Pope. “She just relentlessly wants to be the best.”
