Whether it’s providing support to his teammates, creating goal-scoring opportunities, or being at the right place at the right time, Brandon Correia, a third year in the Electrical Engineering Technician program, always steps onto the pitch ready to give it his all.
“You don’t know how long you can do it for—you don’t know how long your body is going to hold up,” he says to anyone aspiring to play soccer. “Just work your hardest. Try to stay in good shape and stay disciplined.'
Correia plays two positions for the men’s soccer team: winger, a crucial role that crosses the ball into threatening territory, opening the best opportunities for scoring; and centre midfielder, the bridge between attack and defense, they are known for being all-rounders and versatile.
Having grown up watching soccer with his dad, Correia first started playing the sport back when he was seven years old. Over the years leading up to his time in Double Blue, Correia has played for the Brampton Blasts and Dixie Athletics. When he was 18, he led the Dixie Athletics as the top scorer in the Golden Horseshoe Soccer League.
Centre midfielders cover the most running distance in a game, controlling the pace, and requiring loads of stamina and mental resilience. Undergoing two knee surgeries that resulted in some time off from the team and school, Correia hasn’t skipped a beat with his “keep going forward” mindset. Now on his way to graduation, Correia hopes to land a job in the electrical field and continue building on his life experiences.
“There’s a lot of hands-on stuff, a lot of theory—it covers a lot,” he says, describing his program to anyone thinking of pursuing electrical engineering. “It brings you from the basics to more advanced stuff. It starts with residential, then commercial, then industrial—it shows the different options you can go into.”
And what about soccer? Correia aims to remain competitive and play in League1, a semi-professional men’s soccer league. After coming back from his knee surgery, he scored his first goal against the Redeemer Royals during the 2023 season. “My second game back, scoring and having the whole team run together felt good. All the hard work paid off.” It’s his most memorable moment on the Bruins so far.
Whenever Correia is in search for a second gear, whether on the pitch or during exam season, he reminds himself to take a breath and focus. “There are some who can’t even play and I’m blessed to have the opportunity, so I give 100%.”
Playing soccer has taught him the value of teamwork and communication, skills that he employs in the classroom, especially in group projects. And being a student-athlete has taught him the importance of time management and having a good routine to stay on top of things.
“I want to thank [my teammates] for being patient with me and helping me get back. Trusting me, and the coaches for trusting me. The love and support they all gave. We move from there. We look forward to the fall season.”