- By Moussa Sangaré-Ponce -
After five years with the Garnet and Grey, countless highlights and a slew of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and Ontario University Athletics (OUA) awards, Pilar Khoury will continue her soccer career in France in the fall of 2016. The two-time OUA MVP will be donning the colours of ASPTT Albi, in the French division 1 women's league.
David Bellemare, assistant coach for the University of Ottawa's women's soccer program was one of the key figures in getting Khoury to be able to play soccer professionally. �??Dave knows a guy in [Albi] that works in the soccer world. He found out they were looking for a striker; Dave recommended me," shares Khoury.
However, Khoury did not accept the opportunity to go pro immediately. In fact, she struggled a bit with it, looking to others for guidance. She asked her parents, and starting asking herself: �?? Is it worth it? What would I get out of it?" She turned to her closest teammates so they could advise her on the matter.
�??The opportunity in France is a really good one," says Gee-Gees head coach Steve Johnson. �??She'll travel and experience soccer at another level."
Despite the fact she is now a professional athlete, Khoury currently does not have an agent. �??I don't have an agent per say, but I do have [someone] who's been helping me in terms of communication between the club and myself."
Star five years in the making
Khoury will look back fondly at her time as a Gee-Gee which not only shaped her as a player but also as a person. �??It's by far been the best five years of my life."
When looking back at her rookie season, she says the changes she made to her game are �??day and night. I don't I recognize myself." That sentiment is echoed by Johnson. �??[What she would become] was not evident when I was scouting her."
He did however see signs of it. �??She had something special. She had a confidence in her ability. She was able to do things on the field that most people could only do in a practice or a drill situation."
She also had a knack for scoring. In her last two seasons for the Garnet and Grey, Khoury was top 10 in CIS for goals scored and points. She being was named an OUA and CIS first team all-star.
Despite the fact she was a naturally gifted scorer, it was her ability to set up others that set her apart. �??Most goal scorers tend to be selfish. That does not characterize Pilar. She's very unselfish as goal scorer. She's just as happy setting up a teammate, " says Johnson.
Scoring goals or setting them up in large numbers is not only what set Khoury apart; it's also how she did it. "She was able to able make the most difficult things appear simple. And yet what she did was never easy, " recalls Johnson.
Change of scenery
Khoury will be leaving for France on August 1 and will begin training camp shortly after, with about a month before the season starts.
With the move overseas, it'll be the first time Khoury will be away from home. Living on her own will be the "hardest challenge" but "having soccer as an outlet will help [her] through it."
The team has offered Khoury an opportunity has to continue her studies on a part-time basis. She is still undecided on it. One of the pros of doing so, according to her will be that it will help her somewhat continuing the same routine between balancing school, soccer and the rest.
Another adjustment she'll face is going from star player to fighting for playing time. Khoury is up for the challenge saying "fighting from scratch is the exiting part."
Coach Johnson advises her to "remember the amount of progress she made since her first year. Understand that same progress could continue for her in France."
