My Signature: Elexa Bahr strives to be more than a goal scorer

When Elexa Bahr scores, the Gamecocks win. Not every goal is a game-winner, but the senior forward for South Carolina women’s soccer has scored 17 career goals, and every time she has found the back of the net, the Gamecocks have won. While it may seem to be a simple formula for success, it’s not as easy as it sounds, and after she was disappointed with her own performance as a junior, Bahr committed herself to working harder in order to make her final season the best it could be for herself and the team.

I didn’t feel more pressure this year because I was a senior. I felt more pressure because I didn’t have a good year last year. I know if that had been my last year, I would have been very disappointed.

I played at home over the summer. It was for a summer league; Peachtree City MOBA Soccer Academy. I had done it the year before as well to make sure I stayed in shape.

It’s very hard to score a goal in college because everybody is at the same level as you. Everybody has the same speed. Everybody has the same technical ability. Everybody has a good soccer IQ. It’s just a whole different step from high school as to where you are as a player.

My mindset going into a game is, ‘What can we do to win?’  I don’t go into a game trying to be the hero and trying to score a goal. I’m thinking, ‘How can I help my teammates win this game? What can I do to be a difference-maker on the field, and what can we do as a group to get to the next level?’

After a game, I probably think more about an opportunity I missed, more than a goal I scored. I can always go on Twitter and see the goal I scored. I really dwell on what I can do to be better and to standout from other people. If I missed an opportunity, I think about whether I can do it the next game.

My first goal here was in the NCAA Tournament my freshman year (against Alabama State). I can’t remember who played me the ball, but I know I took a touch inside and finished right post, left foot.  I think I was going crazy. I think I probably cried that day.

My favorite goal would probably be the Florida goal (in 2017) at their place. That’s when we won the SEC title. I was thinking, ‘Wow! This is another title!’ And I thought about how it wasn’t just me, it was our team that did that. We all played an amazing game. We won and everyone was going crazy. It was a dream come true.

The feeling when you score a goal is kind of a relief. It’s an ‘Ahh’ moment. You think about all the hard work you did to get here, and now you get to celebrate. It’s a happy feeling.

It meant a lot for me to score on senior night (Thursday against Ole Miss). It’s a special night for all the seniors. My family was there, and it was a great feeling.

I’m a better soccer player now because I have more assists than goals. I think assists show that you’re not being selfish. I know when (All-American) Savannah McCaskill (2014-2017) was here, she was a shark inside the 18, and she could score from wherever she wanted to, but she also passed the ball a lot, too. Learning from her, and now being a senior, yes, I have goals, but I also want to be a good teammate.

It’s great to play here at South Carolina because (head coach) Shelley (Smith) and (associate head coach) Jamie (Smith) know what they’re doing. They know what they’re talking about. Look at their record and look at the players they’ve had, like Savannah and Grace (Fisk).

The biggest influence for me on the pitch is probably (senior defender) Grace Fisk. I definitely look up to her as a player. She is a great role model. She’s a great captain and a great friend. I’ve learned a lot from her with how she is as a person and how she is as a player.

I’ve loved my career and my experience here. Every single second. Every moment. Every day. Everything. I’m so happy I made the choice to play here. Jamie and Shelley are a great team. I love the team itself and the atmosphere. It’s a dream come true. We have an amazing crowd, an amazing facility, and being at a top 10 school is just great.

I’m not ready for it to end yet.