BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Laurentian University men's soccer goalie Guillermo Estrada
knows how to adapt to dramatic changes in life and sport.
This key instinct has helped him become one of the most
inspiring stories in Ontario University Athletics (OUA).
Prior to this season, Estrada had played midfield and defence
for the Voyageurs. He had been a centre midfield while growing
up as a teenager down south.
This year, with the majority of the roster being rookies,
head coach Carlo Castrechino gave Estrada a shot at the goalie
position.
From time to time, Estrada manned the net during practices
and looked sharp. (He had also played goalie a bit during house
league soccer when he was growing up.)
"Carlo felt I did a good enough job (in training camp) to be
the starter," said the 175-pound player. "It has its difficult
and easy parts. Being on a good team, I haven't had to make a
lot of saves, but I have had to make many key saves and that's
the most important. Everyone has been positive and they let me
know I can make mistakes, which has helped me a lot. Having my
team acknowledge this has allowed me to play without fear."
Castrechino was in a tough spot with no real established
goalie at the start of the season, but Estrada bailed him out.
"We had contacted a few goalies...trying to recruit them to
Laurentian, but things didn't work out," said the bench boss.
"It was late summer and I asked if he wanted to try it out. He
said he would do anything to help the team...and we haven't
looked back since."
In his first nine games, Estrada was brilliant, winning five
games against two losses and two ties. He helped the squad peel
off a six-game unbeaten streak and only allowed 10 goals and
had two shutouts.
"The difference between this year and last is chemistry,"
said the third year geography student. "We have a great group
of guys, we're having fun and that's key to our success. We're
looking to make the playoffs and go as far as we can."
Estrada is a quick learner and a rare breed.
"He's been our MVP so far," said Castrechino. "He's quick
and a good shot stopper. Switching positions like this doesn't
happen often in soccer. His performances have been great for
us. He has made big saves for us in every game."
The whole experience has been positive for Estrada.
"It's been great," said the third-year player. "I've done my
part to keep us in games and help the team restore some pride.
I feel pressure to perform, but there's pressure on the whole
team. They have to score and play good defence. I've learned a
lot about my character."
Big change is nothing new to Estrada. When he was six years
old, his family had to uproot themselves from the city of San
Salvador in the country of El Salvador because of a violent
civil war. Estrada's father, who also shares the same name,
Guillermo, wanted his family to be safe so they moved to Canada
in 1989 to start a new life.
"We came to Canada as refugees," said the five-foot-10
goalie. "It wasn't very nice in El Salvador at the time. The
war had got really close. (Forces) were after people who were
educated. Both of my parents were teachers, so it wasn't a good
spot to be in. My parents felt they had to get their four kids
out of the country and into a better one. I was only six...I
don't remember a lot about what was going on at the time, but
it was difficult."
This past summer, Estrada and his family took a vacation
back to El Salvador. "It's better there now...not as good as it
can be because it is a third-world country and there will
always be poverty," said Estrada. "I saw the home I grew up in
and I got to see a lot of my family that I never met before.
That was the most important part for me."
