MANITOWOC — Like a ship leaving port and gaining steam, Manitowoc Lincoln senior girls soccer player Sarah Bolchen has been gaining momentum.
Bolchen broke the Ships’ program record for most goals scored in a career on April 18.
The previous record of 50 goals was set in 2007 and held by Lindsey Aceret.
“It feels really good, its cool,” Bolchen said. “I think it shows the growth of our program over the last four years. Its just really cool to have that milestone.”
Manitowoc Lincoln coach Ethan Jones, now in his sixth season, knew two years ago Bolchen would eventually break the record.
She scored seven goals as a freshman and another 14 as a sophomore. Bolchen then added 22 last season, leaving her just eight away.
“After her sophomore year it was like, yes, Sarah is going to break it,” Jones said. “She’s an unselfish player but when she needs to (score), she can.”
Bolchen’s talent was evident the moment she stepped on the pitch four years ago.
“Sarah’s freshman year she came out and was excited, very fast,” Jones said. “You could notice that right away and her skill level has increased tremendously. Just seeing her natural ability to be able to go to the goal.”
For Bolchen, her record isn’t as much about her as it is for the program as a whole, which achieved its first winning season in history in 2025.
“I didn’t even know what the previous record was as a freshman but I think with the talent we had coming in that a lot of things would get done,” Bolchen said.
She added, without those talented teammates, there’s no way she could have gotten the record.
“My teammates being able to get me the ball,” Bolchen said. “I wouldn’t be able to score as many goals if it wasn’t for the passes from my teammates.”
Also a 1,000-point scorer in basketball, Bolchen is certainly leaving a lasting legacy at Lincoln.
“Over the past four years she’s been the best female athlete of the past four years,” Jones said. “Sarah is the most talented soccer player we’re had in 27 years.”
Bolchen doesn’t want her record to last too long either.
“I hope all these accolades inspire other girls to work hard and hopefully they can break my records too,” Bolchen said. “It would be great to see great athletes come through Lincoln.”
For the time being Bolchen’s plans are incredibly simple.
“Keep scoring, keep winning,” Bolchen said.
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Sarah Bolchen on breaking Manitowoc Lincoln career goals record
Reporting by Tom Dombeck, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
