Kats receive visit from Canadian World Cup star
8/26/2015 8:30:00 PM | Soccer
The Sam Houston State soccer team received a special visit Wednesday afternoon as Erin McLeod, current Canada Women's National Team and Houston Dash goalkeeper, discussed her journey in the sport, sharing personal stories of growth as a player and person.
McLeod, a native of St. Alberta, Alberta, served as Canada's starting keeper during the 2015 World Cup, leading the squad to a third place finish, its best performance in team history. McLeod has played on the team since 2002, recording 104 appearances including the 2007 World Cup and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
“I think the players were definitely excited that Erin came in today,” eighth-year head coach and Dash assistant coach Tom Brown said. “She's a player I've gotten to work with on a daily basis and she has always really impressed me with her dedication, how hard she works and her attention to detail.”
The keeper, who said she'd played soccer since age four, spoke at length about the mental aspects of the game, including her reliance on meditation. McLeod talked about mental fatigue as well as preparing the mind to play on big stages.
“I think we can take a lot of what we heard and apply it this season,” sophomore midfielder Caitlin Schwartz said. “I think the biggest thing that stuck out to me was how she deals with pressure and how she just wants to be best she can be while putting the team before herself.”
With Sam Houston soccer picked second in the preseason standings and boasting a league-leading six preseason all-Southland Conference players, McLeod talked about reaching expectations as a favorite as well as the willingness to take chances and make mistakes at times.
“Once I decide that I'm going to do something, I do it and there is nothing or no one that can stop me from doing it,” McLeod said. “My number one goal for the World Cup was to be a calm player and be confident. I do all of these things so that when I'm out there, even if it's the highest pressured situation, I'm okay.”
At the club level, since 2004, McLeod has played for the Vancouver Whitecaps, Washington Freedom, Sweden's Dalsjöfors GoIF, Chicago Red Stars and currently, the Houston Dash, offering tremendous perspective for a team that like the decorated veteran, has focused their lives on the game.
“It means a lot for her to take the time to come talk to us,” Schwartz said. “We're just a college team but I know a few of us want to play after college and it just encourages us.”
Fans have a unique opportunity to catch McLeod and the Bearkats at the same venue on Sunday as Sam Houston takes on Rice at 4 p.m. from Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium as part of a doubleheader with the Dash, who play the Boston Breakers at 7 o'clock.
Special priced tickets are available at $10 for adults and $5 for Sam Houston students with a valid Bearkat OneCard if purchased prior to Saturday at 2 p.m. either on GoBearkats.com or through the Bowers Stadium ticket office. Tickets will be $25 on game day at the gate.
