Faulkner Follows in Mother’s Footsteps

Grace Faulkner is following in her mother's footsteps. While Grace originally committed to Yale, circumstances out of her control forced her to re-open her recruiting process.

And it was only fitting where she ended up – Dartmouth – the same school where her mother, Deborah, played soccer from 1987-90 and graduated in 1991.

"My junior year of high school, I had to restart talking to a bunch of different schools," said Grace, who attended Barrington High School in Rhode Island. "I reached out to all the Ivies and a bunch of schools similar to Ivies. Both my parents and my grandfather actually went here. I ended up talking to the coaching staff, they came to a bunch of my games and it was a perfect fit."

Dartmouth was always in the back of Grace's mind, for obvious reasons. But whether it was during Grace's original recruitment, or after her original commitment, her parents never pressured her into attending Dartmouth.

"Through my entire recruiting process, they didn't try to persuade me at all to come to Dartmouth," said Grace. "They let me make my own decision."

As Deb said, "My husband and I both tried to stay very neutral during her recruiting process, but once she chose Dartmouth, we were absolutely thrilled. We are so very proud of her hard work and accomplishments to be able to attend Dartmouth, both academically and athletically."

Grace knew how happy her parents were that she ended up in Hanover.
Deb and Grace Faulkner

"They know how special Dartmouth is and how awesome it is, especially my mom knowing the community that the soccer team brings," said Grace.

So far, that soccer community has lived up to Grace's expectations.

"Our team does everything together," she said. "We bake and do all these team bonding activities for fun, just because it's such a fun group of girls. Being at practice, being in the locker room with everyone and getting ready for Ivy League games, everyone is all-in and it's so fun to be part of a team where everyone feels so welcome."

It took some time into Grace's career for her to feel that welcoming atmosphere, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was a senior in high school when the pandemic initially hit in March of 2020, and Grace's freshman season at Dartmouth was cancelled.

She was on campus with the team, but no games during the fall of 2020, and opportunities to create relationships, were limited.

"We did have a pretty normal last fall," said Grace, referring to her sophomore season.

Despite the atypical start, Faulkner has started all but one game in her career, and was already named a captain this season as a junior.

"Personally, I have to pinch myself, as I can't believe it's true [that Grace is playing at Dartmouth]," said Deb. "I get so very excited to see her out on the field wearing a Dartmouth uniform. It is such a special and transformative place for me, and I absolutely love that we now share that experience."

Over the years, Grace has shared a lot of experiences with her mom, learning so much along the way. Some of the most beneficial things Grace has learned applies to leadership.

"Now that I'm a captain and leader on the team, being aware of how everyone feels and how everything affects everyone is important," said Grace. "My mom is such a kind person and she's so aware of how she makes other people feel. She's always giving. You can even tell how much effort she puts into the team tailgates."

One piece of advice Deb gave her daughter was that everyone is always trying to do their best.

"No one is ever not trying to do their best," said Grace. "And that can apply to life and soccer. It's something I try to keep in mind."
Dartmouth Women's Soccer vs. Princeton at Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium on October 2, 2022.

Dartmouth Women's Soccer vs. Princeton at Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium on October 2, 2022.

Faulkner understands leadership isn't one-size-fits-all, and that everyone responds to a given approach differently.

What motivates Grace Faulkner to be so successful?

"I'm always trying to be better," she said. "I like to have a certain schedule. One thing I got really big into after one of my injuries was lifting. I like to improve in every aspect of my athletic ability. Working on my numbers in the weight room, working on my numbers in speed and agility and doing extra work, those are things I get excited about."

One example is a beep test the Big Green do every preseason. That's all the motivation Faulkner needs over the summer.

"This summer, I did a lot of training for our beep test," she said. "I like to have a routine and like to feel fit and in shape. I'm always looking to be better and improve on anything I can, whether that's school or soccer – anything that I can improve on honestly."

Grace even kicked for the football team at Barrington High School as a senior, while playing club soccer at the same time. She knew many of the football players, which led to a moment.

"One day, they were having me take field goals," she said. "They just kept backing me up, backing me up, backing me up, until I got to the 40, where I made a field goal and they were like you have to kick for the team.

"In the summer, I tried out and it was one of the best decisions I ever made," Faulkner continued. "It was so much fun. It was a lot because I was going from school to football practice to soccer practice, but it was unlike anything I've ever experienced before. It was super intense, super bonding, and the culture was awesome."

Part of Grace's continued drive has come from the people around her growing up.

"I would say it definitely came from my mom and my whole family," she said. "My family is all really driven. I look up to my sister Katherine a lot. She's two years older than me and was a great soccer player growing up, but she had a career-ending surgery, so decided not to play soccer anymore. That's part of the reason I also look up to her, because that's so hard, but she stayed so driven and found other things that kept her going."

The same drive can be said about Grace's dad Andrew and younger brother Samuel.

Grace's mom runs her own company, as Chief Executive Officer of Faulkner Consulting Group.

"She's so empowering in every way I want to be," said Grace. "She loves to help people and she's so welcoming, warm and friendly, and at the same time, so driven and hardworking. She's working a lot, but at the same time, finds time to come to every single one of my games and be super supportive for me, does everything for us and never complains."

Grace is looking to replicate what she's learned from her mom, and apply them with her
Dartmouth women's soccer teammates.

"I strive to be that person who can work hard off the field, work hard in practice and in addition to that, be someone who's supportive and helpful to my teammates," she said.

"Grace is so incredibly committed," said Deb. "She takes her role as captain very seriously, and she just wants to take in any feedback she can get and get ideas so she can figure out how to make herself, and her team, the very best they can be. She is also always thinking about how to keep the team upbeat and make sure her teammates are happy and supported. It's fun to listen and try to help her think things through."

In thinking things through, one advantage Grace has over her teammates is a mother who not only played Division I college soccer, but also at Dartmouth.

Deb was a goalkeeper while Grace is a center back.

"Goalkeeper is the anchor, the director of the team, which is similar to center back," said Grace. "It's really awesome to talk to her about soccer. She has always wanted to be there for me, but didn't want to ever overstep. I'll come off the field and say I played terribly, but she never will say a bad thing.
Grace Faulkner womens soccer action versus Penn

Grace Faulkner womens soccer action versus Penn

"It's really nice to be able to debrief with someone who knows the game."

Being able to debrief after a game is extremely treasured by Deb as well.

"Usually that means we review how each of us thought the game went – what went well, what we thought of the opposition and what were big takeaways and learning opportunities for next time," she said. "It is super fun; I truly love soccer, and I love watching these girls play. They are all incredibly talented and so fun to watch, so it's truly not critical, just fun and interesting to dissect, learn from each match and help her think about what to do next."

Because Deb always puts her daughter first, she often keeps the fact that she even played at Dartmouth very quiet.

"She doesn't normally tell anyone that she played soccer at Dartmouth," said Grace. "The other parents would be like… so did you play any sports? She'd say she actually played soccer and they'd pry it out of her that she played here. I know she wants it to be about me."

Soccer has meant so much in the mother-daughter relationship of Deb and Grace Faulkner. It's a powerful connection that began when Grace was little and when it ends, it will end in the same place it ended for Deb – Dartmouth College.

"Growing up, my mom would travel everywhere with me, being on a club team that was always traveling every single weekend and having practice every single day when I couldn't drive in the beginning," said Grace. "She would drive me everywhere; she was with me 24/7 and my number one supporter. She's part of the reason I became so in love with the game."

"I couldn't have asked for anyone better."