Scoring goals in the SUNYAC is a tough task. Leading the conference in goals is even tougher. Leading the conference in goals as a freshman seems like an impossible feat, but not for Lindsey Bushey.
A native of Plattsburgh, Bushey attended Peru High School and has always been into soccer. In her five seasons playing on the Peru Varsity soccer team, Bushey accumulated numerous accolades, including All-Conference honors in 2010 and 2013. She also helped her team win three Section 7 championships in her time there.
In her first year on the varsity team at Peru, Bushey was reluctant to play alongside her two older sisters.
“I think my two older sisters had a big part of me staying with soccer because I was able to play with them,” Bushey said. “We just fit really well together.”
An unfortunate knee injury sidelined Bushey in her junior year at Peru, forcing her to stay off the field for eight months. She said the injury was a big setback in her recruiting process.
“I’ve always grown up having soccer, and then when I couldn’t play for eight months, it was really devastating,” Bushey said. “Being able to run again was an accomplishment for me, and getting back on the field was big.”
Wanting to stay close to home, Bushey decided to take her talents to Plattsburgh State even though St. Michaels, St. Rose and the University of New Hampshire expressed interest in Bushey.
“I don’t think that I was ready to move away yet, and after I had my injury, I realized that school was more important than sports in general,” Bushey said.
She said she is happy with her decision so far and has enjoyed meeting and connecting with students here from all over.
In her first season with the Cardinals, the freshman has already made an immediate impact with her SUNYAC-leading nine goals in just 10 games. PSUC head coach Tania Armellino has been amazed by Bushey’s play and describes her as a humble and hardworking individual.
“She’s a phenomenal young woman and she’s just a great person to be around” Armellino said.
It took the freshman just two games to earn her first collegiate goal that she scored against a tough Clarkson team Aug. 30. In the Cards’ following game against Canton, Bushey knocked in two more and earned her first assist.
PSUC goalie Danielle Schmitt admires Bushey’s ability to generate offensive chances and create shots that others are afraid to take. Schmitt credits this to her abilty to keep the ball at her feet so well.
“It’s crazy how she’ll just run through five defenders and still have the ball at her feet,” Schmitt said. “It’s just incredible.”
Schmitt describes Bushey as funny and personable, as well as someone who is loved by her whole team.
“I can’t really describe her, but you’d say ‘Oh that’s Lindsey,’” Schmitt said. “She’s not a natural blonde, but you’d think she is.”
Through the Cards’ first 10 games Bushey has already established herself as a dominant SUNYAC threat with her nine goals scored and two assists. Armellino is excited to see the growth and development in the freshman’s upcoming seasons and see her achieve success.
“I feel that if she doesn’t get better in the three years after this one then I haven’t done my job, so I hope she does — and I know she can,” Armellino said.
Email Alex Reynolds at alex.reynolds@cardinalpointsonline.com.
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