Ashley Botts begins her first season with the Aggie soccer program in 2013. She joined the Crimson and White as a graduate assistant in August 2013 following an All-America career at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich.
From 2009-12, Botts was a four-year starter at forward for the Lakers. She led GVSU to two NCAA Division II National Championships in 2009 and 2010 and an 84-4-13 record. At the conclusion of her career, she ranked third on GVSU’s all-time list in total points with 163 (67 goals and 29 assists) and third in career goals (67). Botts also tied for the most game-winning goals (25) and seventh in career assists (29).
As a senior, Botts earned National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) Scholar All-America of the Year, NSCAA first team All-America and second team Daktronics, Inc. All-America honors. She was a first team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) selection after guiding the Lakers to a 20-2-3 record and NCAA National Semifinal appearance in 2012. Botts notched 41 points on 18 goals and five assists including the game-winning goal in the conference tournament title match, which was her fourth consecutive conference tournament crown.
Botts led GVSU to a 20-1-4 record with its lone loss, a 2-1 decision to Saint Rose College, in the NCAA National Championship game as a junior. She was named Capital One Academic All-America of the Year, GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year, first team Daktronics and NSCAA All-America, first team All-GLIAC and NCAA All-Tournament team in 2011. Botts led the Lakers and tied for first in the nation in goals with 20 and points with 51.
In 2010, the Lakers won their second straight NCAA National Championship in Botts’ sophomore season. She earned NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Offensive Player honors after two goals in the semifinal contest. She directed GVSU to a 22-1-2 record en route to first team All-GLIAC and first team NSCAA All-America honors. Botts scored 14 goals with six game winners.
In her freshman season, Botts directed the Lakers to its first ever NCAA National Championship in 2009 following a 22-0-4 record. She earned third team NSCAA All-America, first team All-GLIAC and GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors. She posted 15 goals, a team high, 35 points and seven game-winning goals, including the only goal in the 1-0 win over CSU Dominguez Hills in the national title game. Botts was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team.
Botts graduated from GVSU with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science in May 2013, and she plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health at NM State.
