A three-year standout defender on the Belton Tiger soccer team will take his game to Howard Payne University. 

Senior Christian Marbach, three years varsity letterman and second-year as team captain, signed a national letter of intent and accepted  a scholarhip offer to play for the Yellow Jackets next fall.

“The atmosphere up there was great and I felt like it was a good fit for me,” Bass said after a vist to the campus.”  I felt really confortable, it’s similar to here, kinda like a hometown, everyone is nice and I liked Coach Ken Wright.”

Accomplishments by the son of Lorena Bass and the late Richard Bass during his BHS soccer career include 2008 Academic All-District, 2009 Team Defensive Most Valuable Player and 1st Team All-District 2008, 2009 and will be again 2010.

“I’m excited for him. At the same time, I’m a mom and I’m going to miss him (Christian’s an only child) but I wish him the best. It’ going to be quite an adjustment and kind of lonely but he’s been playing soccer since he was four years old and that’s what he loves to do...so I’m going to back him up and do what I have to do to take care of him. I wanted him close (it’s about two hours away) but it was his decision and where he felt comfortable and could play soccer . Hopefully he can walk on and be a starter as a freshman.”

Head Tiger soccer coach Tarcisio Mosnia called Bass a “key member of the team” and commented: “I think he will be an asset to them. He’s a solid individual and a good player. I know Howard Payne plays some quality teams and I think he will feel at home. He has been a key member of our team because he plays a unique position, center back, a crucial spot. You know, if they can’t score on you, they can’t beat you! He has been one of the reasons we haven’t been scored on very often!”

The Tigers have posted a 54-11-1 record since Bass started on the team. He played in 24 games his first year, 28 his second season and 15 so far his senior year. In the three seasons, Bass scored four, four and two goals for 12, 17 and six points and turned in four, nine and two assists.  

“Last year, I believe they (HPU) got second in their conference and this year we’re going for first! I believe with me showing up they’ll have an extra defender and I’m the guy to play and add some excitement to the team.”

Mom smiled and added: “He’s going to make his dreams come true --- and I’ll be a soccer mom and support him.”