Asunmaa leads the team

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Sudbury's Mike Asunmaa has never turned his back and walked a way from a challenge.

The fourth-year veteran midfielder for the Laurentian University men's soccer team has changed adversity into success by becoming a team captain, but it didn't happen overnight.

In his first season, Asunmaa made the team, but never saw playing time.

He practiced hard and never complained about his limited role and dim prospects of getting playing time.

This happened in his second year too.

In his third year, Asunmaa made the cut again, but faced limited playing time.

Asunmaa didn't shed a tear. He never raised his voice in protest or disgust. The way Asunmaa showed maturity and took the news with a professional attitude made the coaching staff realize they had a passionate player on their hands.

"He looked at me and said he was just going to have to work harder to make it to the starting 11," coach Carlo Castrechino said. "It showed me the tremendous character and passion he had. He did play more in that third season, but there are players who would not have tried out again after what he went through. I'm glad he didn't quit."

Asunmaa didn't quit because he believed in himself and knew deep in his heart he was going to start for the Voyageurs no matter what got in his way.

"My first two years were tough and disappointing," the 22-year-old said.  "At times I was very frustrated but I love playing and that frustration gave me the drive and motivation to train hard and improve as much as I could. 

Sometimes you need disappointment and anger to motivate you to train harder.  I think those 2 years made me a better person and a better player."

Asunmaa's drive has made him an important player.

"Mike is our captain and all the guys look up to him and can draw inspiration from what he has been through," Castrechino said. "He is a 90 minute player who leads by example on and off the field. He is a great locker room guy with a calm demeanor and a good sense of humor. The players as well as the coaches respect him both as a teammate and friend."