Being academically gifted was becoming a detriment athletically for Oswego’s Natalie Braun.
The senior midfielder discovered the thought process she was going through actually had been interfering with her ability to carry out her primary responsibility for the Panthers.
“I just realized I needed to stop overthinking about where I was going to put the ball because that’s been my issue,” she said. “I was almost too analytical, and my shots kept going wide.
“(Wednesday) I said I was not going to think about it and just play how I know how.”
The result? The numbers all added up Wednesday for Braun. She scored a career-best four goals for the Panthers in a 6-0 victory over host East Aurora in pool play of the Plainfield Classic.
Braun ended up scoring two goals apiece in each half for Oswego (4-2-2). Senior goalkeeper Karime Valdez came up with eight saves for East Aurora (2-3).
After scoring 20 goals and creating 25 assists last season as a junior, Braun had only one goal and five assists through the first seven games.
“I’ve worked a lot in practice on finishing,” Braun said. “With our practices, we’ve been getting into the routines of games. We’ve also played a lot of games back to back. It has really helped.”
Oswego’s Natalie Braun (8) celebrates one of her goals against East Aurora during the first half of a Plainfield Classic pool-play game in Aurora on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
What made the breakout performance for the three-year starter even more momentous was her younger sister Grace, a junior midfielder, assisting on two of those goals.
Grace, who has a natural rapport with her sister, provided insight into Natalie’s curious approach.
“She’s an introvert who’s very smart, very intellectual, and high school comes very easy for her,” Grace said. “Her intelligence gives her a great soccer IQ.
“We’ve been playing with each other for so long that we already have chemistry. We know where each other are and how each other plays.”
Sophomore defender Peyton Johnson knows all about the bonds between sisters. Her older sister, Anna, was the Panthers’ offensive leader who scored a combined 85 goals the last two years.
“They are basically us,” Peyton said, comparing the dynamic with the Braun sisters to her situation. “Anna and I had a little more of an age gap, but I definitely see the similarities.
“Natalie’s very hardworking. I can count on her to go the extra mile to get the ball off the defender.”
The Braun sisters, Peyton Johnson and senior forward Gillian Young are team captains.
Oswego’s Grace Braun (2) keeps the ball from East Aurora’s Noreidy Ruiz (23) during a Plainfield Classic pool-play game in Aurora on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Like Anna Johnson, Natalie Braun is the oldest of four sisters. Johnson’s graduation shifted the playmaking and scoring role to Braun.
“The last couple of years, Anna was our leading scorer by a pretty big margin,” Natalie said. “We’ve had a lot of goals by a lot of different people.
“I like having that responsibility on my shoulders, but I also think we’re able to spread the opportunities around.”
Natalie Braun and her sisters grew up in competitive swimming. She also played basketball. Soccer has been her primary sports outlet since the beginning of high school.
“I love the speed, the running, the communication and the teamwork,” Natalie said. “You work with the other girls and you see their accomplishments.
“I love being constantly on the move, not having set plays and just working off the creativity.”
Sisters Grace Braun (2) and Natalie Braun (8) celebrate combining for a goal against East Aurora during a Plainfield Classic pool-play game in Aurora on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Braun is committed to play soccer at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Mechanical engineering is her true love.
“I really love math and science and building stuff,” Braun said.
Now, she has brilliantly fused together form and function.
“Personally, I work very hard to get every ball,” Braun said. “Even if I mess up or make a mistake, I think it’s important to play fast, think about where you’re going and play through with hustle.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
