Joanna Fennema Explained

Joanna Fennema
Fullname:Joanna Boyles Fennema
Birth Name:Joanna Bess Boyles
Birth Date:13 November 1995
Birth Place:Raleigh, North Carolina
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:2008–2013
Youthclubs1:CASL Chelsea Ladies
Collegeyears1:2013–2017
College1:North Carolina Tar Heels
Collegecaps1:84
Collegegoals1:14
Years1:2018
Clubs1:Chicago Red Stars Reserves
Caps1:8
Goals1:5
Years2:2019
Clubs2:Orlando Pride
Caps2:19
Goals2:1
Nationalyears1:2009–2010
Nationalteam1:United States U15
Nationalyears2:2010–2012
Nationalteam2:United States U17
Nationalyears3:2014
Nationalteam3:United States U20
Manageryears1:2021–2023
Managerclubs1:Columbus State Cougars (assistant)
Manageryears2:2024–
Managerclubs2:Lenoir-Rhyne University (Head Coach)

Joanna Boyles Fennema (born Joanna Bess Boyles; November 13, 1995) is an American soccer coach and former player who played as a midfielder. She last played for Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League.

Early life

Fennema graduated from Sanderson High School in 2013 having chosen to solely concentrate on club soccer with CASL Chelsea Ladies.[1]

College

Fennema attended the University of North Carolina. In her first year with the Tar Heels she made 23 appearances all as a substitute. In 2014 she started in all 20 of her appearances. In 2016 she took a red-shirt season in order to recover from back-to-back ACL tears in both knees.[2] She returned for her senior year in 2017, helping the team win the 2017 ACC Women's Soccer Tournament and was selected to the All-ACC Second team. Her college coach Anson Dorrance said Fennema was "technically my most gifted player. Even if you look at our entire history of our brilliant technicians she ranks right up there with the Tobin Heaths and the Meghan Klingenbergs and some of the best technical players that we've ever had here at UNC."[1]

Professional career

Chicago Red Stars

Fennema was drafted in the fourth round (32nd overall) of the 2018 NWSL College Draft by the Boston Breakers[3] but the team folded one week later. She was picked up in the third round (25th overall) of the 2018 NWSL Dispersal Draft by the Chicago Red Stars.[4] She spent the 2018 season with the team's reserves in the Women's Premier Soccer League.[5]

Orlando Pride

Fennema joined Orlando Pride for the 2019 season, signing to their supplemental roster on April 10 after impressing new head coach Marc Skinner in preseason.[6] She made her debut on April 14 in the team's season opener at home to Portland Thorns. On June 15, she scored her first goal for the team, a free kick in a 2–2 draw against Houston Dash.[7]

Fennema retired from professional soccer after suffering a back injury on February 28, 2020.

International career

Fennema represented the United States internationally at U-15 and U-17 level. In 2012 she won the CONCACAF U-17 Championship and was part of the squad that traveled to Azerbaijan for the U-17 World Cup.[8]

In 2014, Fennema was called in regularly to train with the U-20 squad but was one of the final cuts before the 2014 U-20 World Cup.[1]

Coaching career

January 2024 she was named the head coach of Lenoir-Rhyne University.[9] Fennema becomes the 10th women's soccer head coach in program history. Previously she was the Assistant Soccer Coach of Columbus State Cougars from 2020 to 2023.[10]

Personal life

Formerly known as Joanna Boyles, she married Parker Fennema in November 2019 and began using her married name afterward.[11]

Honors

North Carolina Tar Heels

United States U17

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Joanna Boyles – Women's Soccer . University of North Carolina Athletics . en.
  2. Web site: After two ACL tears, Joanna Boyles is back . Argyle Report.
  3. Web site: Y . Stephanie . Boston Breakers take four in 2018 NWSL draft . The Bent Musket . 18 January 2018.
  4. Web site: Here's where Boston Breakers players landed after their team folded . Boston.com . 1 March 2018.
  5. Web site: Chicago Red Stars Reserves – 2018 Regular Season – Roster – #20 – Joanna Boyles – M . www.wpslsoccer.com.
  6. Web site: Citro . Michael . Orlando Pride Announce 2019 Opening Day Roster . The Mane Land . 10 April 2019.
  7. Web site: Orlando Pride Battles to 2–2 Draw with Houston Dash . www.orlandocitysc.com.
  8. Web site: U.S. Under-17 Women's National Team Defeats Mexico 3–0 To Win Group B at 2012 CONCACAF Women's Championship . www.ussoccer.com . en.
  9. Web site: Fennema Announced as Women's Soccer Head Coach . 11 January 2024 .
  10. Web site: Joanna Fennema – Assistant Soccer Coach – Staff Directory. Columbus State University Athletics.
  11. News: Orlando Pride Midfielder Joanna Fennema Announces Retirement . 3 March 2020 . Orlando City SC . 28 February 2020.