Sarah Bonney can be a defiant individual, whether in regard to societal norms or opposing defenses on the soccer pitch.
When she was 3 years old, growing up in Ghana, Bonney threw a fit when her mother bought her a doll while her four brothers received sports balls or games.
“I’d cry,” Bonney said. “I’d tell her, ‘Mom, I don’t want a doll. I want a soccer ball.’ So one of my brothers didn’t like sports, so I’d take his ball and give him my doll.”
Bonney, now a freshman forward for UTRGV, took to soccer quickly and the sport quickly took to her. She has played on Ghana’s U17 and U20 national teams.
''If you play for the national team, you are gold,'' Bonney said.
''It’s everybody’s dream. I spent most of my time there (with the team). I wouldn’t spend time at my house because my parents didn’t want me to play. I’d go to the camp and go train on my own. In my country, civilization doesn’t encourage girls to play. They want you to be in the kitchen and do house stuff.''
Bonney’s dream was to end up where she is now — playing soccer in the United States. After taking her SAT in high school, she chose not to attend Ghana’s university in order to focus on soccer.
''I knew that was my ticket over here,'' she said.
It’s paid off. Bonney is the leading scorer for a surging UTRGV club. She has eight goals and two assists for the 8-2-1 Vaqueros, who open WAC play at home Friday night against Missouri-Kansas City.
Bonney got her chance when Andreya Barrera, the team’s second-leading scorer, missed a two-game road trip late last month because of injury. Bonney stepped up, scoring the first 12 points of her career in an 11-0 win over Hampton on Sept. 23.
The scoring output (five goals and two assists) is the 13th highest in NCAA history and Bonney is the 30th player in NCAA history to record at least 12 points in a match.
In 11 total matches, only four starts, Bonney has 18 points, including two game-winners.
''Every game we’ve played, she’s made a big impact,'' UTRGV coach Glad Bugariu said.
''Even as a sub, when she comes in, she puts the opposition on their heels and she’s a big threat. She didn’t quite get those goals early on. She’d hit the bar a few times and she was always a couple inches off from opening her scoring account. Now, she’s gained more confidence, she’s more comfortable and hopefully it will just continue.''
Bonney and fellow countrywoman Diana Ansah were discovered by UTRGV at a tryout in Ghana during the spring. The tryout was a two-day event, but Bonney only made it for the final day.
She still made enough of an impression. Bonney started a scrimmage playing against Bugariu’s team of select players, but Bugariu moved her to his team for the second half.
Not long after that showcase, Bonney and Ansah, a part of the U17 and U20 national team pools, were offered athletic scholarships to UTRGV.
“She’s very good one-on-one,” Bugariu said of Bonney. “She has a tremendous change of pace. If she can isolate players, she has a great shot at getting past them. She puts defenses in dangerous situations.”
Bonney has overcome a slow start to play a significant role.
''The difference in soccer here and in my country is the pace,'' Bonney said.
''It’s faster. So when I came here, I was a bit slow and there was a bit of an adjustment problem. But now I’m good. In my country, I didn’t get a chance to use my swiftness, but here it’s my asset now. My coaches have always told me there’s something in me, even when I was worried at first, so their encouragement has been so big for me.''
Added Ansah: ''She can be even better than what she’s shown now.''
Bonney and Ansah talk about Ghana often. Bonney said she’s only gotten homesick once, because she missed the food, but since then she’s become fond of steak.
Ansah admits the change in lifestyle and sport has been challenging, and that sometimes they talk about wanting to go back to Ghana.
“But we know we have to focus,” Ansah said. “We know we’re here for fùtbol.”
The sport, indeed, has been a safe haven amid trying circumstances.
“I made up my mind to come here when I was young,” Bonney said. “I had the opportunity at the tryouts when I tried my best to do what I could. And it’s been my dream to be here. This is like a dream come true.”