Bethany Catherine Balcer is an American professional soccer player who plays as a striker for Racing Louisville FC of the National Women's Soccer League.
She has four siblings.
Her brother, Nicholas, is a soccer referee working for PRO and NCAA and her sister, Shannon, is the head women's soccer coach at Spring Arbor University.
Her nickname is “Boats” due to her large feet.
She played basketball in high school.
She is known for her signature headband and scoring off towering headers, with 11 header goals since 2021—more than any other NWSL player (2023).
She has been open about her mental health journey, including suffering a panic attack during the 2020 Challenge Cup.
She raised awareness about NWSL athlete compensation by calling out the league for awarding a Chipotle gift card for winning Rookie of the Year.
She has idolized Reign veterans Megan Rapinoe, Lauren Barnes, and Jessica Fishlock.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Spring Arbor University.
In 2024, she completed a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling also at Spring Arbor University.
She is a Christian.
She has been wearing a concussion headband for about ten years, a practice initiated by her parents to enhance her safety on the field.
The headband now givers her confidence when heading the ball. She wears the headband to help her perform confidently against tall, aggressive players and considers it as essential as her shin guards.
She once rapped in college under the name "Betty Wap" and wrote raps for others.
Despite her professional success, she has always kept a lighthearted approach to life and soccer, never treating it like a job to avoid burnout.
She has a dog named Frisco.
She has worked as in intern in a community mental health center.
She uses her social media to educate and raise awareness about mental health issues.
She got engaged in the beginning of 2025.
Her pregame playlist is spontaneous, depending on her mood, but the team’s locker room energy is high, with music from artists like Post Malone, Justin Bieber, and Cardi B.
Her favorite breakfast food is avocado toast.
Her favorite game day meal is a rice bowl with veggies.
She loves poke bowls.
Her favorite Netflix show is Schitt's Creek.
| Adidas |
| NWSL Shield | 1× |
| The Women's Cup | 1× |
| Year | Club | AP | GL |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2024
-
present
|
Racing Louisville | 10 | 3 |
|
2019
-
2024
|
Seattle Reign FC | 132 | 39 |
|
2018
-
|
Seattle Sounders Women | ||
|
2017
-
|
Grand Rapids FC | 12 | 19 |
|
2015
-
2018
|
Spring Arbor Cougars | 98 | 129 |
| International Stats | |||
|
2021
-
|
United States | 1 | 0 |
|
2019
-
|
United States U23 | 2 | |
