Every team has an unsung hero: the one who holds the team together with their heart, humility, and dedication. These athletes rarely seek the spotlight, instead they show up day after day driven by their own quiet “why.” This kind of intrinsic motivation paired with a genuine love for their sport and teammates can create a tremendous impact.
When asked to identify the “unsung hero” of the women’s soccer team, Coach Plourde did not hesitate to name junior Kara Canetti. He described her journey coming back from a knee injury and returning to full strength this year. Throughout her recovery, Canetti kept a positive attitude, worked hard, and supported her team every step of the way. Even from the sidelines she kept the team in good spirits, offered constructive feedback, and acted as a role model for the younger girls – qualities that inspired Plourde to name her captain for the coming year.
In person, Canetti’s warmth and optimism were unmistakable. She shared how she grew up playing soccer in Texas and was excited to take her game to a D1 level at Iona. Being a varsity athlete pushed her in ways she didn’t expect and taught her how to handle adversity. She expressed how dealing with injury required perseverance and the support of her teammates to get through but gave her valuable perspective. The experience helped her see that the sport was bigger than just soccer.
Like many athletes’ facing injury, she feared that she might never come back the same – however Kara didn’t let this uncertainty stop her from working hard and staying positive every single day. When asked what drives her, she takes a moment before explaining that she wants to prove to herself what she is capable of and cherishes all the memories she has made of this sport.
Canetti also spoke about the emotional challenge the team faced in 2024 when they learned that Coach Plourde had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The difficult news brought the girls closer together and reminded them of the human connections at the core of the sport. It strengthened her belief that the sport is much more than just soccer; it is the lessons, relationships, and experiences you take with you. Coach Plourde shared that he has been feeling much better lately as he continues his treatment.
Looking ahead, Canetti aspires to be the best captain she can next year and guide her team toward their best effort in the MAAC Championship. Her story gives us a glimpse into the quiet strength found within many athletes whose contributions often go unseen.
Across Iona’s varsity programs, countless others like Canetti work tirelessly for their teams without any thought of reward. Their stories remind us that the qualities learned in sports – humility, perseverance, leadership, and heart – extend far beyond the playing field.
