Leading on and off the pitch
Jacob Therrien relishes his role as one of the leaders for the Niagara College Knights men’s soccer team.
The 20-year-old third-year carpentry renovations student remembers when he was a rookie and how important it was when more experienced players took the time to mentor him.
“I think it’s very important,” the Notre Dame graduate said. “My first year there were a lot of older guys who guided me and made me feel confident and positive. It’s making them feel they are on the team for a reason and go play your game and be confident and you should be good to go.”
Therrien, who grew up and still resides in Welland, feels good leadership comes down to common sense.
“I think it’s easy to do. It’s not that hard. You just have to be nice and positive and explain things to them.
“Just walking them around the school and getting them to know other people. On the field, it’s just getting them to know the physicality and the speed of the game and how’s it’s different from what they’re used to and getting their confidence up is the main thing.”
Therrien has excelled on the field this season as a midfielder. He was named the male athlete of the week after playing two strong games against the Fanshawe Falcons and St. Clair Saints.
“It’s appreciated definitely to get that (honour) but it’s more of a team game,” he said. “Soccer is a team sport. There are 20 of us on a team and we all have our jobs to do and responsibilities and going out as a team and doing our job is the most important thing to do.”
The locally born and bred Niagara coaching staff has seen Therrien grow as a soccer player and person.
“Rob (Lalama), Rino (Berardi), and Gary (Condon) and I have had a soccer connection with the Therrien family since Jake was six, so having him here with us at the college has been nothing short of a pleasure,” Knight’s head coach DeChellis said. “He’s a tremendous player and a fine young man.”
The Knights finished second in the west and now host the Seneca Sting, the fourth-place finisher in the east, in the first round of the playoffs Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
“It’s very exciting but it’s also a little nerve wracking,” Therrien said. “If you lose, you’re out and it could be the end of our season, but with the way we’re going into the game with the confidence we have and the team and coaching staff we have, we should be good to go.”
The Knights have high hopes for a long playoff run.
“The past two years we went to the semifinals and lost so definitely the goal is to for sure win a medal and go to nationals,” he said.
The OCAA championships are Oct. 25-27 at George Brown College in Toronto.
Coverage of the Niagara Knights is made possible with the support of the Niagara College Department of Athletics & Recreation. For more information, please visit www.goknights.ca
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