FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University men’s soccer freshman goalkeeper Carlos Canas/Manassas has been named this week’s Longwood Male Athlete of the Week. Canas turned in two complete-game performances last week, including a 110-minute outing against Big South Conference opponent High Point. Canas helped the Lancers secure a 2-2 draw in extra time against the Panthers on Sept. 23 with three saves in front of the net. At UNC Greensboro on Sept. 28, he added eight more stops for 24 total this season and a .828 overall save percentage.
Question and Answer Session with Carlos Canas and Ashley Robbins
AR: Talk about your performances last week, specifically against High Point.
CC: I’ve just earned my starting spot, and I’ve been working really hard every since I got here. I understand the college system requires a lot of work to play in because it’s a really high level of soccer, but my goal was just to do my best every day. Coach gave me a chance and I knew I had to make the most of it. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy when I got here. I have a lot of respect for our other goalkeepers, but I was just so focused on becoming a starter, I didn’t really think about who was in front of me. Upperclassmen have helped and encouraged me a lot as well. I look up to Jared Windt so much. I think he’s a very influential person because he’s such a leader on and off the field. High Point was a really tough game. Playing against one of the best teams in our conference was kind of intimidating. It was unfortunate that we lost. We really should have won, but that just shows how young our team is. It was a good result though for our first conference game. I know we’ll get better.
AR: How did it feel to earn the starting position as a rookie?
CC: It’s incredible. It feels good to be successful and gain respect from coaches and players after working so hard. I feel like I’ve been rewarded for all the hard work I’ve put into it. It’s an honor and I just would like to continue to be a starter.
AR: How did you prepare this offseason?
CC: My father is El Salvadorian, so I have dual citizenship and I was granted the chance to play with the U20 National Team in the World Cup in Turkey. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I had to sacrifice a lot, though - missing school, being separated from my parents and friends for months at a time, missing graduation and prom. But it was worth it, I don’t regret it at all. I trained three times a day for two months, ever day but Sunday. We always ran in the mornings, lifted in the afternoons and trained at night, so it was a hard schedule. There were times I wanted to quit, but I was so inspired because I knew I was representing my country, and that gave me the power to keep going. My parents were so proud of me as well, it was incredible. When I came to Longwood I felt prepared mentally and physically. I just needed to prove myself.
AR: Who do you consider to be a role model?
CC: My father. He wakes up at 2 a.m. every day and comes home at 8 p.m. every night. He’s been doing that for the last 24 years, since he’s been in this country. He’s definitely my role model.
AR: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
CC: I do. I always put my right cleat, shin guard and glove on first. And I always pray. We have a team prayer, but I pray in Spanish. I also always put my water bottle or towel on the right post before the game. It’s always the right. To me, the right is just important, I’m not sure why.
AR: Who is your favorite band/artist?
CC: Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of MGK. I listen to a lot of Spanish music though too, I miss my culture a lot here, so I’ve been listening to a lot more Spanish music lately.
AR: Who is your favorite athlete?
CC: Ben Foster, a goalkeeper for West Bromwich Albion. I watch his highlight videos before every game because I want to play like he does. His style is very explosive and quick and that’s how I want to be.
AR: What is you favorite movie?
CC: I really like Harry Potter, I might sound like a nerd, but I love it. I’d love to go see Hogwarts in Orlando.
AR: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
CC: Again, my father has been so influential to me. He’s been though war and poverty. He told me something I will never forget and I can hear him saying it in my head. He said, ‘son, when you’re playing, training or in life, never quit.’ This has worked so many times for me. When I was training in El Salvador, I wanted to stop on some runs, but I told myself that even if I don’t finish on time, I’m going to finish and I won’t quit.
AR: What’s a piece of advice you give to someone who wants to grow up and play Division I?
CC: I’d tell them to focus on their grades, and to train hard every single day. Don’t let society or your friends influence you in a negative way. Be an individual and be the best person you possibly can. Just really focus on what you want in life, your morals, your priorities, and you’ll be fine.
