Riding a seven-game winning streak, the women’s soccer team sits third in the OUA East, one point away from first. At the core of this success are the team’s two goalkeepers, Elena Corry and Chantel Marson, whose dominant performances feature four consecutive shutouts.
Third-year students Marson and Corry began their soccer careers at Queen’s like many young athletes, biding their time in the shadow of All-Canadian goalkeeper Katie McKenna before becoming starters. But Marson said for her and her co-keeper, it was well worth the wait.
“Sitting behind two goalies for two years is definitely paying off this year,” Marson said. “As for [Corry], her performance has been phenomenal. You can count on her back there, I feel very safe looking in the net and seeing her there,” Both keepers are quick to attribute success not only to consistent training, but the tutelage of goalie coach Hannah Shoichet, who was a first-team All-Canadian for the University of British Columbia in 2002 and played for the Gaels until 2007.
“[We] get one-on-one training with her, which allows us to become better keepers,” Corry said.
Corry, whose father was a goalkeeper for Royal Military College, was born to play goalie. She said she views her position to be both thrilling and demanding.
“I love the pressure of it, but also the excitement of being able to stop goals. I have very supportive family and friends,” she said.
Marson, however, said she wasn’t born playing between the posts.
“I used to be a field player until I was about 12 or 13, then I got cut from the team, which was tragic,” she said. “Then I became a goalie. It was a more natural position for me. Ever since I stepped in, I haven’t been allowed to come out.”
Although both goalies would like to prolong their clean sheets, they say their focus remains on team success.
Despite the pressures of being the team’s keepers, the girls say they enjoy the dynamic.
“Off the field we’re really good friends and we’re really close,” Corry said.
-Andrew Cameron
Chantel Marson
What’s your favourite team in any sport?
Los Angeles Lakers.
Which superhero do you have the most in common with?
Does 50 Cent count as a superhero?
Boxers or briefs?
Oh, boxers for sure.
What’s on your iPod right now?
Um, We’ve got some Enya.
Mullets or Mohawks?
Mohawk. Oh yeah.
Who’s your celebrity crush?
I’ll say Obama.
Hidden Talent?
Highland dancing.
If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be?
Oprah.
What was your childhood dream job?
I wanted to be an ice cream teste; I’m not going to lie.
Elena Corry
What’s your favourite team in any sport?
Yikes, I would have to say my favourite sports team would be… soccer, obviously, and my favourite team would have to be… I really like France.
Which superhero do you have the most in common with?
Superman, definitely.
Boxers or Briefs?
Boxers.
What’s on your iPod right now?
I was just playing U2.
Mullets or Mohawks?
Mullets for sure; they make me laugh more.
Who’s your celebrity crush?
Brad Pitt.
Hidden Talent?
I can gleak on command.
If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be?
I would have to trade with the Apostle Paul, just because he led a really interesting life. He was the man.
What was your childhood dream job?
To be an actress. Not very original, but you know.
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