Courtney Clem: Coming up B1G
10/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
College typically isn't the first thing to spark a 10-year-old's mind, yet this was not the case for Courtney Clem. In her elementary school days, Clem made the announcement to her friends and family that her dream was to play Division I soccer.
"My parents didn't even know what soccer was when I started playing," said Clem. "But when I decided that it was my goal, they stuck by me the whole time."
While other girls picked out dresses for the homecoming dance, Clem laced her cleats and strapped on her goalkeeper gloves. Her work ethic and dedication to the game of soccer quickly taught Clem lessons that would follow her through many aspects of life.
"It definitely shapes you when you put soccer first," said Clem. "You have to make sacrifices, but sacrifices pay off. It's definitely paid off."
Clem, who has worn 0 on her jersey since the youth soccer days, holds a unique memory and significance behind the number.
"My sister one time made a joke, `Zero for how many goals I let in,'" said Clem. "That was when we were really young, but, to this day, my sister and I have always been number 0."
During her early years as a goalkeeper, Clem's youth coach introduced her to an outlook on the game that she's never shied away from.
"When I was really little, one of my coaches told me `when you let a goal in, just spit it off,'" said Clem. "If you keep thinking about it, you're just going to keep letting more and more goals in. If anything bad happens, I spit on my gloves and move on to the next play."
Clem's pregame ritual may seem strange to some, but she guarantees it leads her to success in the net.
"I have to make sure my room is clean," said Clem. "And I have to envision myself making saves. My mom always told me that if you vision what you want to happen, it's more likely to happen."
This way of thinking inspires Clem not only before taking the field, but also before heading into real world situations, such as meetings and interviews.
Growing up nearly down the street from East Lansing, Clem originally ruled out Michigan State.
"I visited Purdue and Illinois, and I received a lot of other recruitment letters," said Clem. "I was always a Spartan, but I got a different feeling for it when I went on my visits here. Now I can't imagine being anywhere else."
In her first season as a Spartan, the coaches decided that Clem would redshirt. In this time, she was able to absorb leadership and advice that her teammates had to offer, while making a smooth transition into Big Ten competition.
"I actually think that was one of the most beneficial things I've done," said Clem. "To be able to come in, especially as a goalie, and to watch and see things from the sidelines helped me a lot."
Jill Flietstra, now an assistant coach for the team, took Clem under her wing during her redshirt season. Flietstra, the starting goalie at that time, taught Clem what it truly means to be a student-athlete at Michigan State.
"She [Jill] taught me to be aggressive in the area, especially on crosses," said Clem. "Jill has also been a great leader, coach, and friend to me."
MSU head coach Tom Saxton has also seen tremendous growth in Clem since she arrived on campus.
"She's a well-rounded and talented college athlete and a great ambassador for our program," said head coach Tom Saxton. "She came in with the personality traits of a leader, but she's recognized all the responsibilities that go with that."
Clem's success on the field and work ethic off the field led her to be named captain of the 2014 team. As a captain, Clem insists the team keep their goal in the forefront of their minds.
In the summer before her final season, Clem worked harder than ever before in hopes to leave her mark on the women's soccer program.
"She has never been satisfied with where her game is and she's always worked very, very hard in the offseason to be the best she can be," said Saxton. "She has raised her level of play significantly from last year to this year because of the work she has put in."
In the first game of the season, Clem tipped a shot over the bar, making a save better than any she had made before.
With 106 saves so far this season, Clem leads the Big Ten by over 30 saves. Clem has been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week three times in her career, including twice this season.
"I was resilient," said Clem. "Last year individually, I didn't have the year I wanted to have. Coming back and having a pretty good year in my senior season, it's been awesome."
Early on in their careers, the Clem sisters became known as a soccer family - better yet, a goalie family. Courtney led the pack, signing her letter of intent at Michigan State. Following close behind was her sister Caitlyn, who made the decision to play for a Big Ten rival.
"I did want her to come here, but I knew that we'd be competing," said Courtney. "I wanted her to have her own path, and I think Wisconsin is a great fit. I'm very happy for her."
On Sept. 12, 2014, the Clem family arrived at DeMartin Stadium to see their daughter's teams go head-to-head. Her parents caught the eye of all, sporting t-shirts that equally represented their dedication toward their two Division I goalies.
"My family gets really into it," said Clem. "They got custom made t-shirts that were Michigan State on one side and Wisconsin on the other."
The oldest two Clem sisters have both chosen to live our their dreams in the Big Ten, and, as their youngest sister begins the recruiting process, they can only hope she decides to follow in their footsteps.
"Courtney is part of a great family," said Saxton. "I've really enjoyed getting to know her mom and her dad. Her sisters are also great goal players. They're strong, athletic, young people, so that lends itself well to the position."
In the coming months, Caitlyn and Courtney will be reunited in non other than Madison, Wisconsin. Courtney has accepted a 6-month internship with Kraft Foods in hopes to earn a full-time position within the company.
"I was pumped when I found out that I'd be going to Madison, Wisconsin," said Clem. "I'm only going to be a few minutes from my sister. It's awesome."
As the season nears its end and Clem prepares for graduation, she assures that Michigan State will always hold a special place in her heart.
"To me, it's a family here," said Clem. "I know that's something I'll always have, to be able to come back and be part of the Spartan family. Now that it's coming to an end, looking back I wouldn't have had it any other way."
