Soccer goalie rebounds from crash to serve as coach
Nobody needed to tell the Fleming Knights soccer teams about Ashlie Drake’s toughness and determination.
In 2015 she played keeper for the Knights despite a broken hand when Fleming hosted the women’s national college soccer championships.
But the strength and determination Drake has shown since being left paralyzed in a car crash last November has been inspirational.
Last November, she laid in a hospital paralyzed from the neck down. It wasn’t clear if she’d get much use of her arms or hands again.
“The surgeon hoped the most I’d ever be able to do is to feed myself,” Drake said.
But there she was on Wednesday night in her role as goalie coach for Fleming’s men’s team helping keeper Sam Barratt warm up. From her wheelchair, Drake, who has regained significant use of her arms and hands, threw balls to Barratt.
As a player, Drake was described by a coach as a daredevil, a vocal keeper always shouting instructions. She was an upbeat person who offered encouragement to teammates. None of that has changed. “She brings the team up,” said Stan Bombino, head of Fleming’s soccer program. “She’s always pumped and backs up every player on the team especially the goalies. She’s a great asset to the team.”
“She’s pretty much gone from top to bottom and now she’s working her way back up,” Barratt said. “You can’t really help but be inspired by that.”
Being back on the pitch has been therapeutic for Drake who says soccer has always been a huge part of her life.
“It kind of gave me back my life in a way,” said Drake, an Alliston native who returned to Fleming this fall to complete her final year of the fitness and health promotions program. “They’re so welcoming and so helpful. It’s my family away from home. It meant a lot to come back because it helped me to stay focused on what I want to do when I’m older and keep on pushing through. Just to stay a part of the game was nice.”
Tony Bombino, head coach of the men’s team and Stan’s brother, said when Drake expressed a desire to remain involved in the program, they felt it was important to make it happen. She served as goalie coach for the women’s team last year.
“She’s played at a high level and has experience coaching so I thought she’d make a great goalie coach,” Bombino said. “She’s a great role model, was an all-star here and is an inspirational person. I thought, we need her here. It’s kind of a winwin situation for both of us.”
Bombino says her positive nature not only helped her through her toughest days, it helped those around her. He remembers going to visit Drake for the first time in hospital with his assistant coach Matt Gurr.
“I remember how depressed both of us were when we heard the news,” Bombino said. “When you see her in the hospital it just hits you to see this young person laid up like that and she was just so positive, and her parents as well. They’re just incredible people and I know their faith has helped them as well. I remember leaving that room feeling so positive. I was going to that room to help cheer her up and she made me feel better.”
There are times of frustration when Drake is unable to do things she once took for granted but she said she learned quickly how important a positive attitude is for recovery.
“When I was at Lyndhurst (rehab centre in Toronto) you see the people who get down or not into rehab deteriorate more,” she said. “i find having a positive outlook helps push through obstacles and helps you get to your end goal faster.”
One of her end goals is to help people in a similar position. She’s been accepted to the University of Prince Edward Island’s kinesiology program for next year.
“I want to get into some type of rehab to help out others,” she said.
Her involvement with the team is not charity. She gives her input on strategy to the coaches and has been a valuable resource for Barratt.
“It’s always nice to have that extra set of eyes,” said Barratt. “For someone who has played at this level before she has good knowledge and knows what she’s talking about. She’s definitely helped me progress. She’s picked up on stuff that coaches I’ve had before have not picked up on.”
Stan Bombino says she inspires the players.
“When they’re griping about sore muscles or cramps all they need to do is look on the sidelines and see someone like her who is so enthusiastic and into the games,” he said. “It gives them a bit of motivation.”
Drake’s recovery is already beyond expectations and she’s hopeful to do even better. Recently she’s begun to get some feeling in her legs and it gives her hope.
“The surgeon gave me a one per cent chance to walk again,” she said, “but you never know. Something could change, right?”