Bethlehem’s Claire Hutton has an impressive resume on the pitch already. The junior forward’s illustrious career includes the NYSSCOGS Class AA State Player of the Year as an eighth grader, as well as scoring six goals for the U.S. at the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship.

“It’s just great to get out on the field every day,” Hutton said. “Smiling with everybody and working hard.”

But even with all her accomplishments, Hutton is still hungry and looking for ways to improve her game. After not making the U.S. roster for the U-17 World Cup, she decided the next move is to play for the Bethlehem High School boys varsity team.

“Obviously coming in, it’s definitely a little bit like ‘oh, there’s a girl on the field; what is this,’ ” she said. “But as we keep going, I think I gained some respect from the kids on the team, and from the other teams too.”

It didn’t take long for Hutton to show she could play with the guys as well. Hutton earned a starting spot as a forward where she has delivered four goals and one assist to help the 8-3-3 Eagles reach the NYSPHSAA sectional playoffs.

“People ask what’s it like having a girl. It’s really not anything different. She’s one of the guys as far as I’m concerned,” said Phil Ridgway, head coach of the boys’ team.

He says they rely on Hutton to hold the ball upfront and cross it in. It’s a vital role that he says she has fit right in. 

“You can see that the skill is there. The touch is there. The work ethic is there. She trains hard,” Ridgway said. “So she’s everything you want as a coach.”

“She brings a lot. She’s a leader,” said teammate and junior Colin NeJame. “She’s very talented and she can score the ball obviously.”

For Hutton, who recently committed to play for the University of North Carolina, it’s been the perfect challenge with a faster and more physical game. It’s helping her add more skills to her arsenal.

“This makes me think a lot faster, play a lot faster, and just improve my game in different ways,” Hutton said.

She is planning to graduate early this June, and is looking to utilize the gap year to play overseas or train with a professional team. But for now, Hutton is focused on helping the Eagles make a sectional run.

“We focus on one play at a time, one touch at a time, and hopefully it all comes together,” she said.