Bass reflects on her soccer journey at Tarleton State

BY LESLIE POSADAS

Multimedia Journalist

Following in her family’s footsteps, Jaycie Bass, a student at Tarleton State University, has found her place on the soccer field.

Growing up with a mother who played soccer at the collegiate level and a brother who followed in her footsteps, Bass was introduced to the sport from a young age.

“I started playing soccer when I was four, and a fun fact is that my first word was ‘ball’ because I was around soccer so much,” Bass said. “But I don’t think I truly fell in love with the sport until I was 10, when I joined my first competitive team.”

Despite facing challenges like a knee injury her sophomore year, Bass continues to excel both on and off the field.

“During my sophomore year of college, I suffered a knee injury in preseason that sidelined me for three weeks,” Bass said. “It was one of my first major injuries, and I wasn’t sure how to handle not being able to play the sport I love.

With the support of her soccer community, Bass overcame the challenge.

“The most challenging part of my recovery was getting back into game-shape for the fast-paced matches,” Bass said. “I overcame this challenge by leaning on my teammates and coaching staff, staying positive and doing my best to cheer them on from the sidelines. Although I couldn’t physically contribute on the field, I made sure to support my teammates and stay focused on our collective success.”

Rex Carell, assistant coach for the women’s soccer team, has witnessed the growth of Bass on and off the field since 2022.

“Jaycie has grown a lot since she got here. She’s become heavily involved socially on campus, and communication is definitely a strength of hers on the field,” Carell said.

From the beginning, Bass has been passionate not only about soccer but also about Tarleton.

“I chose to continue my soccer career here because I fell in love with the school during my visit,” Bass said. “Every aspect of Tarleton felt like home to me, and I think it was unique to be able to help build a program from the ground up. After three years here, I can confidently say I made the right decision to be a Texan.”

Andrew Loewe, the soccer sports information director, has firsthand seen Bass become more outspoken and helpful.

“By working with Jaycie Bass over the last two years, I’ve seen her take on a leadership role, being outspoken and always willing to help,” Loewe said. “For example, during social media filming and media days, she helps direct the other players, making sure they stay on task, and is always eager to participate.”