Player Highlight: Lindsey Slusar, Women's Soccer

Women's soccer wraps their season this weekend, but reflecting and focusing on growth for this winter has already started for players like Lindsey Slusar.

The veteran defender from Lloydminster has a positive outlook, despite some down moments during the latest campaign. Coming off a win against Portage, she has some nuance in assessing their performance.

"This season didn't how we would have liked, but this was to be expected in some ways with so many rookies," Slusar said. "The chemistry wasn't quite there, there's lots of inconsistencies we must work on, but it will come."

Her unique athletic journey has helped influence her perspective on a season like this one. After graduating from Lloydminster Comprehensive in 2022, Slusar played two soccer seasons for the Rustlers, before dropping out of school. This decision, while significant, was critical for her development on and off the field, as she stopped pursuing nursing.

"I realized it wasn't the path for me and I decided take a year off and figure out what I wanted to do," Slusar said.

While sitting out a year due to needing the appropriate number of credits to be eligible again, she worked, saved, started a photography business and then discovered her love for soccer again. Slusar noted the time off helped to reignite that passion

"It made me realize how much I love the game," she said. "Growing up it felt like a burden sometimes, I'd ask myself, 'do I really want to go to practice?'"

"You quit playing and you realize how much you miss it and how good it is for your mental health. Being active and playing the sport I love really helps me to have focus and be positive."

"Lindsey's post-secondary journey hasn't been straightforward, but the growth she's shown as a player and person to overcome everything and be a consistent presence on our team, now as a veteran, has been brilliant to watch," Coach Doyle Church said.

Now a mainstay for the Rustlers in the backfield, Slusar said she enjoys the games and practices in a more relaxed state, performing a very different role than she did as a younger player.

"My first two years, I came in nervous, and it felt like so much pressure having to prove yourself," she said. "Now I don't feel that pressure as much, aside from having to lead younger players. I feel more confident in myself, and you understand what does and doesn't matter."

That perspective is something she hopes will help to get their team to a more complete state.

"As we go together as a team, hopefully we can connect [well]," Slusar said. "I think it will come for the futsal season."

Lindsey Slusar is in Business and Administration, majoring in marketing. Her squad, along with the men's team, wrap up their outdoor season this weekend in Fort McMurray.