NAOTB: Tessa Lavender
Thomas Dick, Texas A&M Athletics Communications
12thMan.com chatted with Tessa Lavender, an exciting freshman from North Texas. Lavender is a dynamic presence who brings skill, athleticism and soccer IQ to the backline.
One semester into Aggieland, what’s been your favorite part so far?
Hanging out with the girls. Outside of soccer we like to go out to eat and take late night walks in Aggie Park. We do so much together as a team that no one would expect from a soccer team and I’m appreciative of that. I love these girls so much and I’m so glad they have become my family.
What positions do you play?
I’m an outside back. I played center back for the Mexico national team. Actually I was forward when they (the Mexican National Team) recruited me. They went to one of my club matches and we were playing against Solar. It was the only game I played center back. I played really well and I got an invitation to a training camp. I told them I was a forward and they said, “No we think you’re a center back."
You mentioned the Mexico National Youth Team experience. What long-term aspirations do you have with the national team?
I want to play there as long as I possibly can. It’s a little different representing a country that you don’t even live in, but I get to show people a whole other side of me. I’m not just a girl from the United States, I have Mexican heritage too and I want to show out for Mexico as well. I would love to play there for a long time and one day play in the World Cup.
How has the physical adjustment been playing against players who have three or four more years of college experience on you?
It’s been a huge adjustment. In club soccer I was one of the stronger people and it was pretty easy to block people off. It didn’t take me long to realize I can’t do that here. Honestly, it’s helped me a lot with my body. I’ve worked a lot on not be able to be pushed off the ball. I’m learning how to stand my ground and learning how to play off the people that are faster than me, because these girls here are really quick.
You hit a small road bump with an injury you’re working back from, but how has your growth been in the spring and how has that carried over through the early summer?
In the spring, I came in at 17-years-old looking to work on my defending and my soccer IQ. Going back to club soccer, I feel like I’ve improved so much in my one-on-one defending, the positioning of my body, and my speed. Everything about me as a player feels 10 times better. Coming into Aggieland, I wasn’t a player who was good technically on the ball. I dribble a lot, and I pass. I thank Coach Strader all the time because he helped me a lot. All of the one-on-one coaching and film sessions with him really helped me this spring.
When you were looking at colleges, what boxes did Texas A&M check off for you?
The love, family and being close to home. I’m a very big family person, so being able to have my little clan come to all my games is a really big deal for me. I love how intact our soccer team is with God and our faith. We hold Bible studies as a team, and that checked off a really big box. Coming in, a lot of freshmen are scared the older girls might not include them and push them away, but they didn’t do that at all. They showed so much love and didn’t make you feel belittled. They really helped me choose Texas A&M because the love I felt was the same love that I feel for my family. As soon as I walked in on my visit it felt like home.
Were you an Aggie youth camper?
I wasn’t. I actually didn’t do much for colleges and never really considered it until I grew older and my mom said, “What do you want to do?”. I told her I haven’t really thought about it and never considered the opportunity of playing for a Division I soccer program. At the time I was just having fun, and it was something that I knew I loved to do. I didn’t know of all the possibilities and opportunities that were going to be given to me.
What did you know about Texas A&M growing up?
II knew they had a really good soccer team. I didn’t participate in anything big when I was younger until it was time to start narrowing down colleges. Eventually I did learn more information about Texas A&M by stalking some older players' social media accounts. I saw how happy they were here, and it wasn’t fake happiness; you could tell they were genuinely happy. Seeing the light in their eyes when watching their games made me realize this is where I wanted to be.
What would you say you bring to the team?
I bring encouragement, happiness and my IQ to the team. I’m a person who no matter how bad of a day I’m having, I’m always going to encourage the other girls. I’m going to be there if you need someone to talk to without judgment.
The Aggies have an entirely new backline this year, how has that been?
It’s been amazing so far. We have lunches together as a backline to grow closer together. I feel like we are super close already. We hang out with each other, enjoy meals together, and we have our own group chat. As a backline, this is the closest group of girls I have ever been a part of. Coach Strader has helped with that a lot. He takes initiative and from day one he has shown us that he is going to help us on and off the field, no matter what it is.
When your soccer days are done, what would you like to do?
Right now, I’m getting my degree in business. I’ve thought about doing HR if I want to pursue a job in soccer, but I’ve also been wanting to come back to school to get a nursing degree and become an anesthesiologist. I know I want to do something that helps people.
You are an only child, what was that like growing up?
At times, it did get pretty lonely because I didn’t have anyone to go mess with. That’s how my dad and I became so close. He was my partner in crime and my best friend. It turned out to be okay, the only child always gets what they want, right? As an only child, you become closer to your friends than people with siblings do because those people become your “siblings”. Those are the people that help you get out of your situations and those you can always talk to. I didn’t have anyone at home to just vent to because I was by myself, but I appreciate growing up as an only child.
Did being the only child present any challenges as far as being competitive?
Yes, especially when I was younger and played on a team that was two years above me. Growing up there was always someone to push you around and I was by myself with no one to do that at home. My dad and I are very close, and he became that person to joke around with me and push me to make sure I had tough skin. He knew his limit, but it was always jokes and games. That helped me on the soccer field to compete with players who are 22-25 years old now as an 18-year-old. I feel like on the field I need to prove myself 10 times more.
You are the first person in your immediate family to go to college, how special is that going to be when you graduate?
I just want to show my family that I understand all the hard times they went through growing up and I appreciate them. I’m grateful for everything they’ve done for me and everything they’ve given up for me. Walking across that stage when I graduate is going to be a great accomplishment, and being the first one to do so in my family means a lot.
Besides soccer, what’s one sport you would really like to be good at?
I’ve grown to love pickleball, I don’t understand why. After my soccer days are done, you’re going to see me on the pickleball courts every single day. I just love pickleball.
What are your favorite hobbies?
Eating for sure. I cook with my family all the time. I also like walks and listening to music but cooking and baking are probably my top two.
What’s your favorite thing to cook?
Back at home with my grandma, we would make a broccoli and rice casserole. I also like to make meatloaf and lasagna. My mom and I started making our Thanksgiving feast together. My great-great grandma had her infamous potato salad and that’s probably what I love the most because she taught me how to walk and I was very close to her. Making her food feels like I’m closer and she’s always here with me.
Favorite place to eat in Aggieland?
I’m a big fan of hot pot Korean barbecue so I love iWON.
