BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
In a blinding flash, Laurentian University
men's soccer player Joe Jesseau appears out of nowhere from a
maze of players to pounce on a loose ball.
Jesseau's foot makes contact, and the ball is
in the net, leaving Jesseau and his teammates to celebrate
another goal.
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Joe Jesseau has provided the
Voyageurs with an offensive spark this season. |
His talents have made the Bradford native an
instant success in his first playing year with the team.
Through his first seven games, Jesseau, 23,
has buried seven goals, including two, three-goal games. This
offensive outburst has placed Jesseau at the
top of Ontario University Athletics (OUA)
goal scoring list. He's also tied for second for goal scoring
in the entire country, according to the Canadian
Interuniversity Sports (CIS) association.
Having to sit out the entire season last year
after transferring from the University of Western Ontario,
Jesseau is even more appreciative of his goal scoring ranking
and his role in helping the Voyageurs chase down a playoff
spot.
While benched in 2003, he took a role as a
manager and used it wisely.
"One of the toughest things to do is watching
your team play because you want to get out there and help,
especially when you're healthy," said Jesseau. "Being a manger
was unfamiliar territory for me, but I was still part of the
program. It gave me a whole new perspective, and being in the
sports administration program, it fit well for me and I learned
a lot."
Although he couldn't wage war with his
teammates last year, Jesseau endured all the highs and
lows.
"I cheered when we won and felt heartache
when we lost," said Jesseau. "Sitting out did wonders for my
motivation this year. Last year, I was able to practice with
the guys and learn their style. It made fitting in this season
a lot easier."
Jesseau has earned his hard working
reputation.
"I am not surprised by his impact," said head
coach Carlo Castrechino. "As a matter of fact, we were counting
on it. Joe trained with the team last year. We knew what kind
of a player he was going to be. Joe is a natural goal scorer.
He has size and a very accurate shot. He also has great
ball
control and plenty of confidence in his
ability to take on defenders and shoot the ball from all
angles."
Jesseau is quite humble when it comes to his
spectacular marksmanship.
"Scoring goals is one thing, but it's a team
effort," said Jesseau. "I give credit to my teammates. With the
goals, they just come. If you think, then you've already made a
mistake and missed your chance. It has to be
instinctive."
Jesseau spent three years in the powerhouse
Western soccer program. He has used the experience as a great
resource while plying his trade at Laurentian.
"One of the strongest attributes an athletes
can have is confidence," said Jesseau. "At Western, I took my
knocks there for my first two years, playing only a few games.
I came here essentially as a rookie, but with three years of
CIS experience. It has given me confidence, and it helped me
bond with the guys here."
Jesseau wouldn't be where he was today
without the dedication of his parents.
"My parents have come to every one of my
games, even when I was growing up," said Jesseau. "When you're
younger, you lose sight of it, but now
that I am older, it's an unbelievable
statement they made, and I appreciate it. It makes you want to
play even better."
