By Jim Hague
After spending two years playing soccer at Millersville University in Pennsylvania, Alexis Sutton wanted to come home to New Jersey.
At the time, Sutton’s mother, Colleen, was battling breast cancer and being away from home was causing an emotional strain on Sutton.
“It was a very hard decision,” Sutton said. “With my Mom being sick, I had to make the choice. I also wanted to save some money, so coming home helped a lot.”
Sutton wanted to continue her education and also wanted to continue her athletic career.
Sutton’s younger sister, Montana, played for a youth soccer team coached by Rutgers-Newark head women’s soccer coach Bill Bustamante.
“It was an unexpected surprise,” Bustamante said. “I’ve known the family for a long time, so I think that helped. When the family reached out to me, I was delighted that Alexis would want to come to Rutgers-Newark and we started the process to bring her aboard.”
It was definitely a spur of the moment choice.
“I decided to transfer a week before classes began,” Sutton said. “It was last minute, that’s for sure.”
Sutton didn’t know how she would fit in with an established program as a newcomer.
“I was a little worried, because I missed the preseason workouts,” Sutton said. “I had to come in late and try to meet everyone. I knew we all had something in common, which was a love for soccer.”
Bustamante knew that the transition period would be a breeze.
“She’s the kind of player with the work ethic and the standards that we wanted,” Bustamante said. “I knew she’d fit in right away. I knew she would be a leader right away. When you’re able to recruit someone as successful as Alexis, it attracts others to the program. She’s a big-time player.”
Sutton has developed into the most integral part of the Scarlet Raiders’ defense.
“She plays almost every minute of every game,” Bustamante said. “If she’s off the field, it’s no more than 10 minutes. She’s the key foundation of our defense. She came in and put a stamp on our program, from the competition side, from the work ethic side. She’s the kind of player you show to the rest of the team and hope they follow.”
Bustamante knew that Sutton would not be a vocal leader.
“She’s not one with words,” Bustamante said. “She leads with her actions.”
Sutton would agree with that assessment.
“I definitely lead through example,” Sutton said. “I hope that the others see what I’m doing and hopefully if I’m doing the right thing, then they’ll follow right along.”
Sutton had to learn how to play a new position with the Scarlet Raiders.
“Before I came here, I was a center midfielder,” Sutton said. “I had to adapt a little at first. But now I feel much more comfortable at center back.”
While Sutton scored only one goal last season, she left a major impact.
“The main thing is that she’s a very smart player,” Bustamante said. “She reads the game well and she’s able to communicate with the rest of the team, telling them where they should be. Her height (5-foot-9) is a big factor, because she’s able to get to balls with her head that others can’t. We are also able to bring her up on set pieces. She also has a long range with her kicks and is able to get balls through coming out of the back. She has one of the longest ranges on the team with her kicks.”
Bustamante loves Sutton’s personality.
“Although she’s very laid back, she’s very passionate about the game and the program,” Bustamante said. “She’s loved by everyone. I knew right away that she had the qualities we would want in a captain. The others respect her and look up to her. She’s great to get along with and has a good personality.”
Sutton understood there was a larger responsibility in being a captain.
“It did put a little bit of pressure on me, but I learned to like the role,” Sutton said.
Sutton has definitely fit in well, participating in a fun pre-game ritual.
“Before every game, I sent out a text with the picture of a rat’s face,” Sutton said. “Everyone gets it. We do it for good luck. I think we do it because it helps to bring everyone together. It’s all good.”
Sutton knows that the R-N program is on the rise. The team has already won more games than last year and Sutton has contributed with a goal and an assist.
“I think it’s great that we have a lot of young players with a lot of potential,” Sutton said. “Unfortunately, I won’t be around to see them get better. But hopefully, we’ll get some more players in and the potential for the future is great. I think we’ve stepped it up this year and come together as a team, relationship-wise and playing-wise. It’s sad that this is my last year.”
Sutton will graduate with a degree in business management. She is already busy working at a business consulting firm called Augur, Inc., located in her hometown of Bedminster. Incredibly, she’s been working 30 hours per week as she commutes back and forth to R-N.
“I’ve been helping to set up workshops that we run,” Sutton said. “Eventually, I will become a consultant. I’m juggling a busy schedule with work, soccer and school. Thank God for night classes and Saturday classes.”
There is another positive side to the Alexis Sutton story. Her mother is now healthy. And Sutton has left a positive impact on everyone involved with the Scarlet Raider program.
“I’m happy I transferred to Rutgers-Newark,” Sutton said. “Everything happens for a reason.”
