Sophomore striker continues stellar scoring touch
by Corey LeBlanc
For the top scorers in any sport, it is often suggested that they have an innate ability; knowing where to be, what to do—and how to do it—when those opportunities arise.
Sophomore striker Sean Freeman of the Saint Mary’s Huskies—who finished the regular season tied as the leading goal scorer in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) men’s soccer, with nine markers—is a shining example of that idea.
But, there are also differences; ways in which the Halifax native separates himself from many others. Rather than rely solely on his seemingly natural scoring prowess, Freeman has an insatiable work ethic—one fed by a desire not only to be one of the top players in the AUS, but also to help lead his program to the top of the conference.
“I have played it pretty much my whole life,” the graduate of Halifax West High School in Fairview says of his beloved. From the start, Freeman has embraced the “team environment” created on—and off—the pitch.
“I really enjoy that part of the game,” the 19-year-old, who also played minor soccer, says.
He has a voracious appetite not only for playing but also watching the sport.
“I do that all the time.”
And, as a second stellar one in the AUS unfolds, more and more fans are tuning in to see Freeman, who—after a noteworthy freshman season—has continued his ascension as a potent offensive force. Of his nine goals, five have been game-winners for the maroon-and-white, while he has hit the mark on two out of three penalty kicks; his ability as a clutch goal scorer has been cemented.
With seven goals and 12 points last season, Freeman garnered a second-team all-star nod as a freshman, while also being a front-runner for the top-rookie award won by CBU’s Ze Cunha (Cascais, Portugal).
“Sean has been unreal for us this year,” Saint Mary’s head coach Mesut Mert says. He points out that Freeman continues to build on a strong first campaign, taking advantage of every chance to improve during the off-season.
“Sean is strong, faster and more confident on the field,” Mert adds.
He notes that Freeman’s commitment to excellence is “really showing.”
“I know that he is very happy to take on that responsibility,” Mert offers of his student-athlete’s approach when it comes not only to being a top player in the conference, but also one of the leaders of the Saint Mary’s men’s soccer program.
He adds, “I am so impressed—he is never satisfied and continues to work hard; always searching for ways to help him and our team get better.”
The all-star start to Freeman’s AUS career included a move to forward last season; growing up, he played midfield until making a switch to the wing when he took the pitch at the senior level.
“It has gone pretty well,” Freeman says of the move up front. Noting that getting used to not chasing down the ball posed a challenge, he adds, “I think that I have been able to adjust well.”
Freeman is modest when asked about his skill set, offering that his success is a result of team success.
“They move the ball to me and, hopefully, I can finish off a couple of those chances,” he explains, in crediting his teammates for being a key to his scoring.
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding, with Freeman becoming one of the top snipers in the AUS.
“Sean is a very good finisher,” Mert explains, including with the header and finishing crosses. “He makes difficult finishes look easy.”
Mert also notes his keen awareness of where he should be on the field.
He says Freeman is one of those types of players needed to build a “core,” pointing out that he is a crucial piece of Saint Mary’s “strong spine down the middle.”
After spending his freshman year studying science at Saint Mary’s, he is spending his second academic year in the business faculty.
“I am still working on it—trying to figure out what I like,” Freeman says of his studies and career aspirations. He agrees that choosing Saint Mary’s has been the perfect fit, noting how much he enjoys the family atmosphere created, which includes close relationships with the Saint Mary’s women’s soccer program.
“I love it here,” Freeman says.
It has been a little more than one year since he and the Huskies made a deep run in the 2021 conference championship tournament at CBU. After defeating the UPEI Panthers in a quarter-final match, the maroon-and-white upset the top-seeded STFX X-Men in a semi-final tilt. And, although they dropped a 4-0 decision to the defending champion Capers in the title match, the Huskies earned a berth in the U SPORTS national championship tournament in Ottawa.
“It was a tremendous experience,” Freeman says of last season’s playoff performance.
As for making the AUS final, he notes that he and his coaches and teammates “weren’t surprised” with their run.
“We had a great group of guys—who are back this year—and we are focused on winning an AUS banner,” he adds.
The Huskies will have the chance to do that at the 2022 Subway AUS Men’s Soccer Championship, from November 2-5, at Ness Timmons Field on the CBU campus in Sydney.