Each month, Drake Athletics and the Principal Financial Group features one of the Bulldogs' international student-athletes. This month, men's soccer redshirt junior goalkeeper Darrin MacLeod is the featured international student-athlete.
 
MacLeod started every match this past season for the Bulldogs helping the team win the 2015 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. MacLeod played every minute in net this season as the Bulldogs also won their first NCAA Tournament match since 2009 knocking off Kentucky, 2-1, in the opening round.
 
Why did you choose to attend Drake?
            "Initially, former head coach, Sean Holmes, he is Canadian as well, so I kind of had a connection with him. He came and saw me playing in Canada. I always knew I wanted to come to the states for education and to play soccer and this was the first option that popped up."
 
Was there any particular reason you wanted to come to the states to play soccer and attend school?
            "The states provided a better opportunity for me to play professionally after graduation. With Canadian schools, you don't get as good of a jump into the professional standards."
 
What are you studying at Drake and how do you feel having international experience will aid you in your future goals/career?
            "I'm a health science major and that field is so broad and there are a number of opportunities it offers. When I'm done with my playing career, I don't know if I will stay in the United States or move back to Canada. It all depends on where my playing career takes me. The nice thing about the health sciences field is it's international and you can really go anywhere with it."
 
How do you specifically plan to use your degree?
            "If soccer doesn't work out, I hope to go into physical therapy or occupational therapy. The idea of helping people is what really interests me in those fields. The two are similar but each have their own unique twist. With occupational therapy, it's helping with the rehab and more functional side of things so that the patient can find better ways to live their life. Physical therapy is more sports related where you are rehabbing injuries."
 
Why soccer?
            "I was about five years old when I started playing soccer, along with baseball. The decision finally came where I couldn't continue both, so I picked soccer because I liked it more. Being a goalkeeper, I play half the game in the net and half the game out of the net but the other keeper on our team got injured so the responsibility became mine."
 
What are some challenges you face both on and off the field?
            "As a goalkeeper, you are always in the spotlight. All your mistakes are highlighted, there's no real place to hide. You have to be confident in yourself and know that mistakes are always going to be highlighted. But, as a goalkeeper, I feel your actions are highlighted the most."
 
What other hobbies or activities do you participate in besides soccer?
            "Majority of my life revolves around soccer, but I hang out with my roommates and in social gatherings. I follow other sports like basketball and football a little bit, but I'm not really overly into other sports."
 
What are some differences between soccer in the United States versus in Canada?
            "The playing style is similar both in the United States and Canada. The college game is a little bit different where you have to be a more physical rather than technical. That was the biggest difference for me coming from high school to college."
 
What are some are your favorite aspects of soccer?
            "My favorite aspect is that I believe soccer players are the best athletes because there are so many components of the game and I think it requires the most athleticism. One thing that isn't the best about soccer but can also be taken as a positive is games are always so close. The winner is decided by one mistake or two mistakes or one moment of brilliance."
 
What are some of your favorite things about Drake?
            "Drake is nice because it is a smaller community and you know people on campus. You aren't just a number at the University, you are actually a name and it's nice to have that closely knit community."
 
How does it feel being winning the 2015 MVC Championship?
            "It's been a long time coming for some of us older guys. I think our expectations going into the season were to win the MVC. It's really an exciting feeling when it finally does come through and all the hard work put in all season has been rewarded."