Dominant defender

BRADEN RIVER — Jared Bieber’s name isn’t splashed across the newspaper every time Braden River scores a goal.

And he doesn’t get recognized when the Pirates post a shutout.

But the Braden River High senior defender wouldn’t want it any other way. Bieber has been an integral part of the Pirates’ defense for the past three years. He helped lead Braden River into the playoffs for the first time two years ago.

“I love defense,” Bieber says. “Defenders don’t really get as much credit, but when I make a really good tackle, it’s one of the best feelings.”

Now in his final season with Braden River, Bieber is hoping to accomplish something the Pirates have never been done — win a district championship.

Braden River has posted a 7-4-1 record so far this season and is second in Class 4A-District 11 at 5-2-1 with three games remaining on the schedule before the district tournament.

“Districts is always the goal,” Bieber says. “I’ve dreamt of being the first person to lift the district title.”

Bieber began playing soccer when he was 5 years old after moving to the United States from England.
Bieber’s older brother, Jordan, played at the time, and it wasn’t long before Bieber was kicking a soccer ball back and forth across the lawn.

“My brother was a big role model for me,” Bieber says.

Bieber joined a club soccer team and began playing as often as he could. But it wasn’t until Bieber made the Braden River High soccer team as a freshman that he started to shine.

“When I was 12 or 13 years old, I didn’t play too much on my club team,” Bieber says. “I’ve always been a smaller guy, but then I had a growth spurt in both skill and size. I have to give credit to my coaches, who put a lot of confidence in me.”

Bieber started playing defender his sophomore year, and he’s been a dominant force for the Pirates’ defense ever since.

In addition to playing for Braden River, Bieber also plays for the Lakewood Ranch Chargers U18/19 team, for which he serves as the team captain.

Following this season, Bieber will return to the Chargers to continue training in hopes of playing collegiate soccer. Bieber is still undecided on where he wants to play soccer, but the University of Tampa currently ranks among the top of his list.

Eventually, Bieber has aspirations of playing professional soccer, particularly if collegiate soccer doesn’t pan out.

“I fell in love with it straight away,” Bieber says of soccer. “When I got a little older, I realized that was the direction to take and I just kept playing.

“That’s my dream,” Bieber says of playing professionally. “I’ve worked my whole life to do that. Soccer is the one thing that makes me forget about what I have to do or how I’m feeling. When I’m on the field, I’m just focused on one thing.”

JARED BIEBER
Grade: Senior
Age: 17
Position: Defender
Favorite Player: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool F.C. “He’s played soccer his whole career. and he’s a captain like me,” Bieber says. “He’s the most influential player and (it’s nice) to be able to look up to another leader.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].