Goncalves finds her groove with Cougars

Carolina Goncalves’ decision to join the University of Regina Cougars was no layup.

It was a giant leap of faith that began last summer when Goncalves packed her bags for a basketball pilgrimage that would send the 20-year-old guard more than 7,000 kilometres from her home of Lisbon, Portugal.

After enduring her first Saskatchewan winter — a test of fortitude if ever there was one — Goncalves is now savouring her reward thanks to a memorable week at the U Sports national women’s basketball championship in Regina.

It started Wednesday when she was named the top rookie in Canada and continued 24 hours later when she was named the player of the game following one of the biggest wins in Cougars history — a 76-56 decision over the Laval Rouge et Or.

The victory propels Regina into the medal round, setting up a semifinal clash on Saturday against the archrival Saskatchewan Huskies (6 p.m., Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport).

With a win, the Cougars will play for gold on their home court Sunday at 5:30 p.m.

“I’m so happy to be here living these moments,” Goncalves said after Thursday’s 15-point performance — three more than her season average.

“Being here and playing these games … just proves it was the right choice. I have no regrets.”

That’s not to say it has been easy. Although her experience in Regina has been overwhelmingly positive, Goncalves still gets emotional when talking about the decision to say goodbye to her loved ones.

“I have a really big connection with my family and my friends,” she said. “It’s a completely different country and culture here but that’s part of the experience — to get more knowledge, more culture. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity.”

Goncalves’ motivation to move halfway around the globe was twofold. She wanted to play basketball at a high level in addition to getting her education, which is “super important to my parents and me as well.”

“Playing pro in Portugal and studying there (wasn’t really an option),” explained Goncalves, who hopes to pursue a career in sports psychology. “(Back home) they don’t really understand the studies part and the education. You need to choose pro or your studies.”

Not both.

In Regina, she gets the best of all worlds while playing for a program that’s consistently among the best in her newly adopted country.

The Cougars also let her take some time away in November to play overseas for Portugal’s senior national team at a qualification tournament for 2019 FIBA EuroBasket championship.

“We knew right away she would be an impact player for us,” said Cougars head coach Dave Taylor, whose team learned about Goncalves through a coaching contact in Portugal. “It’s a big adjustment coming this far, leaving your family and everything. In November, when we have snow, her friends are at the beach in Lisbon. It’s a big European city. You really couldn’t get a whole lot different. She loves the people here but it’s a big, big adjustment.”

One that’s paying huge dividends — for her and the Cougars.

“It’s my first year here but I can feel the atmosphere,” added Goncalves. “It’s so special (playing at home in the national championship). It’s a healthy pressure. I always like to play the hardest games, the ones that bring the challenge. With the help of my teammates, I think we’re doing such a great job and we deserve this. We have two more games that we need to show it.

“Let’s bring the Bronze Baby home.”