While the growing pains that accompany the jump of the Sudbury Canadians to USL level soccer are being felt throughout their roster, perhaps nowhere is it more challenging than for the team's netminders. Soccer goalkeepers become accustomed to an environment where surrendering four goals is considered a blowout. So if you're eighteen year-old Katie McNamara, how exactly does one adjust to scores that reach six, seven or double digit goals?

"I think we all just try and take it game by game. We know that this year will be a challenge but I really feel that we are all up to it" says the first year Canadians netminder, who did not even take up competitive soccer until after Grade eight. McNamara had played houseleague soccer through her youth with the Valley East Soccer Club but was spotted by ladies competitive coach Arvo Lang while playing Indoor Soccer while she was attending St Charles College.

The talented young lady blessed with a goalkeeper's height, McNamara played competitively for both the Canadians and Panhellenic organizations before joining coach Rob Gallo and the Laurentian Lady Vees last September. She will now be entering her second year within the Sports and Physical Education program at Laurentian and looks forward to playing soccer throughout her years of university education. As for the difference in play from one league to the other, McNamara notes that the USL does benefit from drawing players from across North America.

"It was quite an eye opener when we travelled to New Jersey for our first two games. I certainly wasn't expecting that many shots" laughs McNamara, who can easily face twenty or more opportunities in a single half of USL play against the league's elite teams. "But I feel that my confidence has also gone up - I now look at every shot thinking I can make the save" says McNamara.

With aspirations for a career teaching Physical Education, preferably in the Sudbury area, McNamara is already building her resume, working both with the Laurentian University soccer program for kids as well as helping out with the lone competitive Valley East team playing in the Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League. "It's a lot of fun working with the kids...and a nice change of pace from the level of play I'm around most of the time" notes McNamara.

While some might worry that the year-round grind of playing in both leagues would take it's toll on the young netminder, McNamara's psyche seems no worse for the wear as she looks optimistically at the benefits. "The training regimen for both seasons is a little different and it definately allows me to hit both seasons in great shape" says McNamara. Based on the USL competition that the Sudbury Canadians have seen to date, McNamara is not likely to spend many restful afternoons tending to her goal area, which is just fine by her.