Academy expectations helped prep soccer player Matthews for college

By Sean Rooney on November 16, 2018.

Editor’s note: This week we’ve lined up a series of stories looking back at athletes who came through Medicine Hat’s Notre Dame Academy, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary.
Today is a feature on soccer player Aleena Matthews. For more names and photos see what Notre Dame’s been posting on Twitter using the hashtag #nda15. Here is Tuesday’s feature on Jesse Florkowski, Wednesday’s on Kale Kessy and Thursday’s on Austin Schibler.

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srooney@medicinehatnews.com @MHNRooney

The transition to being a college athlete can be a tough one, but Aleena Matthews felt she was ready for it.

Matthews, who joined the Medicine Hat Rattlers women’s soccer team last year, got an earlier taste than most for what it’s really like to be a student-athlete. She attended Notre Dame Academy, where much like college you have to keep up with your studies in order to be eligible to be part of the sports academy side of things.

“You had to be at a certain grade level and if you weren’t, you would not be in academy,” said Matthews, who just finished her second college season as the Rattlers’ second-leading scorer. “Perseverance, you need to be working hard as a student-athlete.

“I think Notre Dame definitely prepared me for college just knowing a balance between your sports and school, but knowing that your school does come before your sport.”

As her mom helped start the Panthers track and field club in town, the whole Matthews family is athletically inclined. Aleena’s older sister went to Notre Dame and naturally, she wanted to follow.

“I was really excited to start middle school in Grade 5,” she said. “You appreciate it more when you’re older and you’re out of it.”

Unlike some athletes who just focus on their academy sport of choice, like hockey, golf, baseball or soccer, Matthews did everything she could find time for. She remembers being part of a basketball team that went unbeaten one year, and also played volleyball. But then again, most Notre Dame teams are expected to do well by virtue of their status as a sports-centric school.

Matthews loved that sort of environment, and the inherent competition that came with it.

“I do think there are expectations and some pressure just with the school itself, the name Notre Dame does have,” she said. “But it wasn’t that I have to be this good: The coaches work with you to get to the expectation level.

“They did have cuts and tryouts for things, which I appreciate. One of my friends on the soccer team, she tried out for a basketball team and didn’t make it. I think it’s good perspective when you’re younger, if I’m serious at sports this is what I need to be looking to.”

That upbringing certainly helped with the Rattlers this year. Medicine Hat College barely had enough players to field a team, but Matthews scored the team’s first goal of the year and they eventually went 2-9-1 — impressive given the lack of fresh legs.

She missed some time due to a broken ankle, and later broke a rib from coughing during a nasty illness.

Her fitness level and determination helped pull her through.

“Honestly, I think we had a successful season.”

Next up? Futsal season, where the Rattlers are a perennial favourite to bring home the banner; much like Notre Dame is no matter what they’re playing.

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