91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ

It was Jacob Botterill’s third goal of the match that broke a 20-year record, but in typical fashion he wasn’t done scoring that day. He had two more goals to go.

 

The 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ Community College Men’s Soccer center midfielder has done nothing but score goals — lots and lots of goals — in his two seasons with the Spartans. And with that five-goal outburst against Jamestown Community College on October 4, he moved into the Spartans’ record books as the top goal scorer in 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ history.

 

Botterill, a sophomore, surpassed Martin Kelly’s mark of 58 goals achieved in the 2004 and 2005 seasons. After adding three more goals against Tompkins Cortland Community College and another three against SUNY Niagara in the regular season finale, he’ll enter the postseason with a career mark of 67 scores.

 

“It’s obviously nice to break that mark, and to be remembered for it. But I hope someone else breaks it in the future, because that’s a lot of goals scored for 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ,” said Botterill.

 

The Leicester, England native entered the 2024 season on the heels of a 2023 campaign that saw him lead all NJCAA Division III scorers with 31 goals. He and Coach Chris Davison weren’t sure that passing Kelly’s mark was possible this year, with defenses likely to focus on slowing Botterill.

 

But it didn’t take Botterill long to find his stride in 2024. After a scoreless opener against Genesee Community College, he scored 20 goals in the next seven matches, including six scores against Clinton Community College.

 

He knows scoresheets like that aren’t built alone, pointing to teammates like striker Reece Harper and winger Bigad Sid, along with Coach Davison, as essential to his on-field success.

 

“My teammates wanted me to break the record, and Coach Davison was a big part of this happening as well,” he said. “I know I've improved as a player from last year, and I think our team is better as well. I’ve just been able to anticipate where the ball falls, and to be in the right place at the right time.”

 

Botterill and his teammates have put together an impressive 2024 season to date. The Spartans started the season unranked, but defeated three top-10 teams on their way to a #3 ranking in the national polls. They finished the regular season an undefeated 14-0, and are waiting to hear their postseason schedule.

 

Individually, Botterill has found himself in the same place he was in the 2023 season — atop the NJCAA Division III statistical rankings with 36 goals so far in 2024. He’s also fifth nationally with 16 assists as of Saturday.

 

Davison, himself an All-American when he played at 91ÊÓƵÎÛÎÛ, called Botterill the best player he’s seen come through the college.

 

“It’s been an honor to coach him and watch him mature as a person and a player,” said Davison. “I’m so glad the record has gone to him for the all-time goal scorer. To be number one nationally in goals scored two straight years is a huge achievement.”

 

And while those goals have been a key factor in the Spartans’ success, Botterill is staying focused on doing whatever’s necessary to earn the next win and keep the season going.