Jordan Mase crossed the pond between the United Kingdom and the United States for two reasons. One, to become the first in his family to enroll in higher education, and two, to continue playing soccer.
While Mase flourishes in the Allen Community College classroom, he also starred for the Red Devils on the pitch this season. In 11 games for ACC, Mase finished with 11 goals, a perfect goal-scoring record for the first-year striker.
?I came over to play soccer, but also really focus on my education, because at home I don?t have any qualifications,? Mase said. ?Coming here was basically a second chance for me to make something of my life, and soccer has been able to get me halfway there.?
Prior to playing at ACC, Mase competed for Alford FC, which finished as champions last fall in the Southern Combination League, earning promotion to the seventh tier of English soccer.
Head coach Dough Desmartreau learned of Mase?s on-field skills through a recruiting company that evaluated the Englishmen?s presence on the ball, and knowledge in the classroom. After evaluating the tape, Desmarteau knew Mase was a perfect fit.
Mase said he had received numerous offers to play in the States. What made Iola stand out was fellow teammate Byron Watt, who had grown up near Mase’s hometown of Crawley. Although Iola is a drastic difference from the suburbs of London, Mase admits the small town rural lifestyle has its advantages.
?I?d been living life at a 100 miles per hour living in London, versus coming here where it is pretty dead,? Mase said. ?In a way, it?s a good thing. I?m not going out on the weekends or during the week. Instead, I sit down and focus on college and soccer. It’s more of a blessing in disguise.?
Mase?s arrival to Iola was put on hold after waiting for his visa to be approved. The late arrival meant Wase had to wait for his turn to get in the Red Devil lineup. Desmarteau elected not to take Mase on ACC’s trip to St. Louis. Instead, Mase made his debut nine days later against Ottawa with a hat-trick.
?He?s a guy where if you need a goal, he is going to get you one,? Desmarteau said. ?He is physical, fast, and works well with his teammates. He is composed in front of net, he isn?t going to blast it over, but finish it into the corner.?
While playing for Alford in England, Mase was deployed as a midfielder, and led his team in assists. Desmarteau had different plans, opting to utilize Mase as a forward.
?I was obviously expecting to play in midfield, but I love playing football. I?ll play anywhere, they could have put me in goal and I still would have done it,? Mase said. ?I enjoyed playing up top. In a way, you are sort of the center of attention when you are scoring goals, but the team ultimately allows you to score those goals.?
A goal per game is what goalscorers aim for. Although Mase accomplished the feat with 11 goals in 11 games, he believes he should have had more.
?I?ve played the game all my life, so I don?t think where I need to be, my body is just basically there,? Mase said. ?I think sometimes it’s just that I?m so eager to score. I should have scored more than 11 this year. I know that I missed some chances. Yes, I had a good season, but it wasn?t the best one I could have possibly had.?
The Red Devils missed the Jayhawk Conference playoffs by one position after finishing 3-7 in the east division. Although ACC failed to make any waves, Mase was named a conference player of the week award in week seven. After evaluating Mase?s first season, Desmarteau elected to establish Mase as one of next year?s captains.
Mase is relishing each achievement.
