New Trier soccer star Josie Noble has an interesting way of dealing with the pressures that come with being an elite athlete and honors student.
“I really like to bake,” she said. “It’s really calming.”
Noble, a senior midfielder who has committed to play at Wake Forest, likes anything sweet, but her favorite concoction is brownies made with Ghirardelli chocolate.
She shares some of her creations with her teammates, who often have a big supply of treats at games.
“We have a lot of girls who bring sweets in of all kinds,” Noble said.
The Trevians may benefit from frequent sugar rushes, but their success is fueled by the sweet play of leaders like Noble, a two-time all-state selection who keeps everything in perspective.
“She’s a great player — technical, understands the game, moves well, makes her teammates better all the time,” New Trier coach Jim Burnside said. “But I think the most important thing about Josie is the type of person she is in terms of she wants this team to be successful for the kids, for her teammates.
“She wants so badly for everyone to see success, everyone to be their best, to have fun and to also win. She is a great leader and a great kind of role model of what we want this program to be.”
Noble tallied seven goals and five assists as a sophomore. Her production increased to nine goals and nine assists as a junior, when she helped the Trevians reach a Class supersectional.
All the while, Noble was absorbing knowledge from older teammates. She has brought what she learned to bear in her fourth varsity season.
“I’ve been really fortunate to have learned things from really amazing older girls each year,” she said. “They were really good leaders and really good role models. I try to do what they do.”
What Noble has done this season goes far beyond statistics. She had 11 goals and seven assists through 19 games, but her impact can’t be measured by mere numbers.
“Jose is just awesome,” New Trier senior forward Charlotte Dellin said. “What can I say? She’s just calm, cool and collected all the time. Nothing every gets to her too crazily.”
Noble’s calmness allows the Trevians (17-2-4) to stay steady even with their typically tough schedule, which includes playing in the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic and the Naperville Invitational, widely regarded as the two best regular-season tournaments in the state.
At the Naperville Invitational, Noble earned the Golden Ball Award, given to the best player in the tournament, which New Trier won while not allowing a goal. Noble scored the game-winning goal in the semifinals.
“Things could be not going our way, and nothing gets Josie rattled,” Dellin said. “I think that is what contributes to her being able to execute on a lot of things.
“She helps the team out and puts herself in scoring position.”
To be sure, New Trier is not a one-person team. The Trevians are stacked with talent. Dellin is a Fairfield recruit, senior forward Jaime Elias is a Texas Tech recruit and senior defender Basie Shannon is an Idaho recruit.
That gives Noble plenty of options when directing the offense.
“My favorite thing to do is through balls,” Noble said. “I’m really lucky I’ve got some fast outside mids and forwards. Every game is really fun.”
Playing alongside Noble makes the sport more fun for Dellin.
“I’ll be running all over the place, and me and Josie can get a quick, simple back-and-forth thing going,” Dellin said. “If we have one person who has a calming, positive presence, even if other people aren’t doing that, it sets the tone for everybody else, especially with her being the senior leader that she is.”
Noble, who said she’d like to become a chef at a big restaurant one day, is just as good in the classroom, where she has a 4.2 GPA.
“School is definitely a big priority,” she said. “Coach always says he’s lucky to coach at New Trier because the kids are really smart here. Everyone here is super academically driven, which is awesome.”
Noble has not decided on what she will study at Wake Forest.
“I’m leaning toward business,” she said. “I love the math.”
Burnside said Noble’s intangibles will add up to something substantial. How well can she play at the college level?
“That’s yet to be seen,” Burnside said. “She is very committed to her soccer performance and what she can do. I think she can be great.
“She’s willing to work, she’s willing to push herself to be better, to learn, and that’s what makes her potential unlimited.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
