Bronco’s fifth year goalkeeper, Genevieve Crenshaw left a lasting mark in Boise State’s Women’s Soccer, earning numerous honors and breaking four records within her final season.
In a historic year, Crenshaw led the team in all-time career shutouts, all-time consecutive shutouts, longest shutout streak and most wins in program history.
The Cypress, California, native began playing soccer at the age of 3, going on 19 years in playing the sport.
Crenshaw got into goalkeeping at 10-years-old, due to the fact that she didn’t like to run.
“I didn’t like running and I was really tall, so it was the best fit for me,” Crenshaw said. “I just kind of fell into it. I ended up being the only one that wanted to be in goal and I was fearless when it came down to it, which is one of the biggest aspects of my position.”
Crenshaw started talking with recruiting schools from the moment she knew she wanted to play college soccer; at 14-years-old.
“The recruiting process was kind of crazy,” Crenshaw said. “The team that I played for [Strikers Elite Club National League (ECNL) Club] was based in Southern California, where soccer is really big, so we would have like 63 coaches just lined up at our showcases on the field.”
Crenshaw fell in love with the culture and city of Boise, Idaho, on her tour and ultimately made the decision to play for Boise State because she felt most sought after by the coaches.
Just two months after Crenshaw moved to Boise for training COVID-19 hit, sending everyone back home.
The Women’s Soccer season got moved from the fall 2020 to spring 2021 of her freshman year due to the pandemic.
“The first year was extremely weird,” Crenshaw said. “I struggled a bit mentally but the coaches were so good to me at that time when I was struggling. They helped get me out of that funk and prepare me for the next years going on. You see athletes all over the world that quit during COVID so I’m really happy that I was able to stick that out.”
College athletes were granted another year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic so Crenshaw took the opportunity to play a fifth year at Boise State.
Crenshaw’s last game ended in heartbreaking fashion, falling to No. 25 Utah State 2-1 in the Mountain West (MW) Championship.
“It was one of those years where we’ve set every record and we left every legacy that we could and we just couldn’t really pull out that last one,” Crenshaw said. “So yes, I’m really grateful to be able to finish out with all my friends and make it to that final but I really wish we would have been able to make it to the NCAA just to get one more practice, one more game in with all the girls together.”
At the conclusion of the match Genevieve Crenshaw, Carly Cross and Morgan Padour were named to the 2024 MW All-Tournament team. Cross and Padour earned their first distinctions while Crenshaw picked up her second.
Although Crenshaw’s last game had a bittersweet ending, she looks back on it grateful in all the ways she has grown as an athlete and an individual.
“Being the best version of yourself is something to be proud of, but also accepting criticism and critiques is even better,” Crenshaw said. “I’ve also learned that the community you surround yourself with is so important. I’ve been super grateful to have a really great community of people, and that’s what kept me here for my five years.”
Although Crenshaw just finished her career in goalkeeping as a Bronco her next dream is to continue playing soccer overseas to have the opportunity to travel while playing.
“Everything happens for a reason but my priority right now is to play overseas,” Crenshaw said. “And then we’ll see where it goes but I would love to get into coaching. It’s something that a lot of people told me I could be good at.”
