Mia Steadman
Occidental women’s soccer team captain and forward Mia Steadman (junior) scored two goals against Fredonia in a win Aug. 31.
According to Assistant Athletic Director and women’s soccer head coach Colm McFeely, Steadman was a major contributor to the team’s victory.
“There was a beautiful ball played in tight space for her from Malia [DeCastro], and she got her body across the defender,” McFeely said. “Then [Steadman] hid the ball from her, took a little touch and slid it into the side of the net.”
According to McFeely, Steadman was First Team All-SCIAC her first year, but was sidelined her sophomore year with an ACL injury. He said that while she was missed on the pitch last year, she gained valuable leadership skills while sidelined.
“That year was difficult for her sometimes, and she certainly learned a lot about leadership and captaincy from being on the sideline for a while,” McFeely said. “She was very diligent and determined in terms of her recovery, and [in] trying to encourage teammates as well. There is a pretty special person in her.”
According to McFeely, Steadman has excellent intelligence and decision-making skills on the field.
“She is a very caring, very thoughtful, quality soccer player,” McFeely said. “She’s totally enamored with the game.”
According to Steadman, she has high hopes for the team this season.
“A championship is always the goal,” Steadman said. “I think we have a lot of potential. I think we will do very well.”
Steadman said that last season did not go as well as they had hoped. She also said that is not the norm.
“We want to let the team know that last year was not typical,” Steadman said. “We want to show the sophomores and the first years that we have a winning culture.”
Midfielder Martha Burkhart (junior) said that Steadman is an important leader for the team and a hard worker.
“She’s not only an incredibly talented soccer player, but I think she’s also one of the best leaders and captains that I’ve ever gotten to play with,” Burkhart said. “Her work ethic, ambition and love for her teammates really drives our team. She helps our teams’ chemistry on and off the field, and has been essential to our success.“
Joe Bassett
Joe Bassett (junior), the starting goalie for the men’s soccer team, secured the Tigers’ victory with five saves in their 3–0 win over MIT Aug. 31.
Bassett said that he started playing soccer at a very young age.
“I was always good at blocking shots,” Bassett said. “I was probably like 10 years old. I played in the back, and then I just stuck with it.”
Bassett said his passion for the game has not left him since his early years in goal.
“I think that the biggest, most important thing I can do right now is focus on myself and try to die on the field every game,” Bassett said.
According to Bassett’s mother, Joanne Green, his affinity for the position began as soon as he took the field.
“He was 7 [years old] when he played his first match. He was woefully unprepared and wildly nervous,” Green said via email. “He had zero experience and very little skill. Yet he walked into that goal, and he did not back down. Granted, his cleat flew off and went sailing down the pitch when he kicked the ball, but even then, he did not quit. He stood strong and firm. That says a lot about the kind of person he is on and off the pitch.”
Midfielder and captain Aidan Aley (senior) said that Bassett is a key contributor for the Tigers.
“He’s the backbone of our team, always keeping the guys in line,” Aley said. “He has been doing phenomenally in his new role as the starter.”
According to his teammate and roommate Charlie Miller (junior), Bassett exemplifies excellence.
“Joe has been my roommate since freshman year — he’s one of my best friends here,” Miller said. “It’s really exciting to see him on the field. He’s been putting on really good performances and I’m super happy for him. His leadership is really coming out this year.”
Green also said via email that Bassett cares a lot about his teammates.
“Joseph is a very humble human and I think he’s drawn to the camaraderie that comes from being part of a super tight-knit team. ‘Being with the lads,’ as he likes to say,” Green said via email. “What really drives him isn’t about personal recognition. It’s about showing up for his teammates so they all get to revel in victory, as a unit — as a family.”
Contact Bennett Michaels at bmichaels@oxy.edu and Caden Slater at cslater@oxy.edu
