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Four-year varsity starter Rebecca McFarland has been a steady force as Bastrop’s goalkeeper since freshman year, and her most recent accomplishment is the culmination of a stellar career.
McFarland recorded her 500th career save during the Lady Bears’ Feb. 14 contest versus Georgetown. The milestone achievement adds to a long list of accolades, such as first team all-district honors the past two seasons.
For McFarland, celebrating 500 saves with coaches, teammates and family was a special moment that she’ll always cherish.
“I have worked extremely hard to be the player I am today and this accomplishment shows that,” McFarland said. “My teammates helped me celebrate by surprising me with posters and cheering me on as I made my 500th save. I also had several family members and even an old teammate who came out to watch the game, which made the moment even more special.”
McFarland proved she was a top-tier goalkeeper early on in her high school career. She recorded 186 total saves and was named second team all-district as just a freshman. She followed that up with 145 saves and a first team all-district nod her sophomore year.
McFarland plays soccer year round, which she believes has been integral to her success and steady improvement.
“I don't really have an off-season,” McFarland said. “Outside of high school, I play select soccer for BYSO (Bastrop Youth Soccer Organization) Inferno which is throughout all fall and spring. During summer… I play in the 5v5 summer league hosted by Bastrop Soccer, indoor soccer, camps and random pickup games at the BYSO fields in town. I feel that constantly having touches helps keep me on my game and get better.”
Once again, McFarland earned first team all-district honors last season despite her season being cut short due to injury. In addition, she could’ve racked up more saves as a freshman, but the season ended abruptly because of COVID-19.
Her 500th save tops her list of great memories along with other moments like reaching the playoffs and competing in the Corpus Christi tournament last year.
So far this season, McFarland has recorded 91 saves and allowed just 24 goals. With only four games left in the regular season, she spoke about what else she would like to accomplish as a Bastrop Bear.
“My goals for this season are to make it to playoffs and make it past round one,” McFarland said. “The last two years we haven't made it past the first round, so it would be a really big accomplishment for our team, and we can definitely do it. My personal goal for this season is to make first team all-district and Goalkeeper MVP of the district.”
