Mathilde Rousseau: an exemplary university soccer career
At just 24 years old, Mathilde Rousseau has already accomplished what many student-athletes can only dream of: five seasons with the prestigious Rouge et Or soccer program, all while completing a doctoral degree in medicine. Between classrooms and soccer fields, she’s struck a remarkable balance, guided by passion, discipline, and an unwavering team spirit.
"I’m in my fifth year, so my journey is coming to an end this year," she says. "It definitely makes for big years, five years doing both. That being said, I’m someone who likes busy days and challenges."
Rousseau started her university career as a forward before gradually stepping back on the field.
"I now find myself at fullback. I’ve had many positions throughout the years," she explains.
This flexibility reflects her approach to sport: open, collective and growth oriented.
"I’m someone who really loves team activities, the social aspects of soccer. I’m grateful for that whole part of my university experience."
Soccer has not always been Rousseau’s only passion in sport. As a child, she did it all: basketball, volleyball, swimming, diving and even cheerleading.
"I feel like I tried them all to really be sure I would find the one that was right for me," she shares. "Throughout those trials, I still kept playing soccer. It was a sport that met me where I was at."
It was in CEGEP that her passion really started to take shape.
"That’s more where I started to get more serious, to join semi-professional teams," she says,
When the time came to choose a university, Laval came naturally to her.
"I found that the Quebec programs were really quite good. For my medical studies, it made things simpler to stay close."
Five seasons later and the results speak for themselves: two silver and two bronze medals at the U SPORTS Championships. Beyond results, Rousseau retains lessons on resilience and leadership above all.
"There were years where everyone was aligned, others that were more difficult. But I think I learned resilience, that things can't always go our way," she says.
As captain of a young group, she’s seen first-hand the value of teamwork.
"Sport is formative. Starting my medical internships, I’ve seen how soccer has taught me how to work under pressure, to take initiative, and to collaborate. Those are skills we develop without even realizing," she adds.
Rousseau had the honour of representing Canada at the FISU University World Cup in China, after taking part in the Pan-American Championships in Uruguay the year prior.
"It was like a real mini World Cup. The structure, the organization, everything was impressive," she says.
Taking on teams the calibre of Brazil, Australia and China left a mark on the young defender.
"We really felt like we were in a professional environment. We got to see the different kinds of soccer cultures, it was a great showcase," she says.
Even though Canada lost in the final, Rousseau will always have unforgettable memories of this experience.
"We were a little disappointed not to win gold, but we were proud of our journey. Playing in a stadium in front of 20,000 people, that’s a feeling we may never get again,’ she says.
At the end of her university career, Rousseau looks to the future with serenity.
"I’m feeling pretty nostalgic. Five great years leaves its mark," she confides.
She plans to embark on her medical residency starting this July.
"It will be a full-time career that won’t lend itself as well to soccer. I might try to juggle both by delaying my residency by a year to live that professional soccer experience," she says.
For Rousseau, the secret to success can be summed up in one word: passion.
"You have to do it out of passion, because the last few years were great but also full of challenges. What gets us through it is the love of the game and our teammates."