Purpose: Jaydah Bedoya on Journey in Soccer, Career at UCONN and West Virginia, Playing for Carolina Ascent FC in the USL Super League, Time With Ecuador’s National Team, and Passions Beyond the Pitch
The Ballers Magazine- 7 days ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
For Jaydah Bedoya, playing soccer at the professional level was a dream that was ignited at the age of just five years old. A dream that only grew stronger across her childhood; and one that she would go on to relentlessly work to achieve over the years. It all started back in her hometown of New Bedford, Massachusetts where Jaydah played for an array of clubs from a young age including the New Bedford Youth Soccer Association, St. Michael Bolts FC, the New England Futbol Club (NEFC), and FC Stars respectively. It was here where she remembers strengthening her skills on the pitch and elevating her knowledge of the game. This was just the start. Upon graduating from high school, Jaydah embarked on her collegiate career at the University of Connecticut (UConn)—where played for three seasons before transferring to West Virginia University. It wasn't all smooth sailing though. From managing the pressures of being a student-athlete to adapting to different leadership roles on and off the pitch, Jaydah navigated through an array of challenges during her collegiate career that tested her resilience and commitment to playing the sport at the highest level.
Through it all, she remained focused. After her senior season at West Virginia, Jaydah decided to take that next step in her career and work towards an opportunity to play professionally. Sure enough, she did just that. In May 2024, Jaydah signed with the Carolina Ascent Football Club for its inaugural season in the USL Super League. She had done it. She had achieved her childhood dream of playing professional soccer. The rest is history! Currently in her first year in the USL Super League, Jaydah is embracing every aspect of this new chapter of her soccer career. As she reflects
on her journey thus far and ponders on what’s next, Jaydah remains grounded on the four themes that continue to motivate her day in and day out: personal growth, passion, joy, and most importantly, PURPOSE!
Take us back to your time in high school! You were a multi-sport athlete. Could you share more with us about when you decided to go all-in on the game of soccer?
Yeah! In high school I played three sports: soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. I had a busy, busy schedule. I would play there (at my high school), and then I would leave to go play soccer for my club. I was able to do both. I would travel about an hour and forty to play club so I’d get back super late and would have to do my homework. So it was a really, really busy schedule (*laughs*). I had to drop basketball though because I was getting shin splints and stuff, and that’s when I really focused on just the soccer aspect.
Throughout your high school career, you won an array of accolades including a championship, two All-League recognitions, and an All-NESCAC honor. What did earning those honors and achieving those milestones mean to you?
They meant a lot. There's no awards without your team, so for me personally, it was just as much a team award as it was an individual award. It just meant everything, you know? It meant that my hard work had paid off. It was the best. I loved being there for those four years and I learned so much.
You then embarked on your collegiate career at UConn. Take us through that transition. What were some challenges that you faced early on going from high school to college?
From high school to college was a bit of a challenge. You know, I had dealt with some time management (adjustments). There was pressure going into the collegiate level so just being able to manage that was super, super important. I think that that, and just coming from high school to college, was a transition in itself. I had to learn about time management and know where I had to be, know what I needed to eat to fuel my body, and not miss those things.
If you could give someone insight into the style of play at the collegiate level—going from playing high school soccer to then playing the game at the Division I level—, how would you describe it?
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