Sophie Miranda grew up playing sports whenever she could. From Vancouver Island, the Queen's Women's Soccer star took advantage of the temperate climate of her hometown to play sports outdoors for the majority of the year, always trying to keep up with her older sister, who shared Miranda's passion for sports.
 
Miranda took most to soccer and field hockey, and experienced a lot of success in both sports. In Soccer, Miranda played BSCPL soccer on Vancouver Island and was invited to train and play with Team BC.
 
And in field hockey, Miranda helped Team BC win nationals and was selected to represent Canada on the U18 National team, travelling with Team Canada to Europe for an international tournament.
 
Miranda said she took advantage of any high-performance environment that came her way growing up, and enjoyed learning and growing both physically and mentally as an athlete. And playing for her country with Canada's national junior field hockey team was an experience she'll never forget!
 
When it came time to take her athletic and academic career to the next level, Miranda chose Queen's after visiting multiple schools both in Canada and south of the border, while looking at both soccer and field hockey programs. The university's academic reputation, and the uniqueness of Miranda's chosen program, Heath Sciences, put Queen's at the top of Miranda's list for her post-secondary educational journey. And after meeting Queen's Women's Soccer Head Coach Dave McDowell, Miranda said she knew Queen's was the right choice.
 
Miranda is coming off an excellent year with the Gaels. The defender was named a First Team East Division OUA All-Star after being part of a Gaels defence that finished second in team defence in the conference, allowing only six goals all regular season. Miranda was also named a U SPORTS Academic All-Star last season.
 
As Miranda and Queen's Women's Soccer get set to host the U SPORTS Women's Soccer Championship at Richardson Stadium this fall, she sat down with GoGaelsGo.com to share more about herself on and off the field.


 
What does your off-season training routine look like?
 
During the summer, I play on Victoria Highlanders FC, a semi-professional team in BC's League 1. We practice three times a week and play games 1-2 times a weekend. I supplement this with technical training, weight training and conditioning, as outlined by our coaches and trainers at Queen's.
 
Of course, you can't live on Vancouver Island and not take advantage of the endless opportunities to hike in the great outdoors, so I make sure to get a few hikes and trail runs in each week. As we get closer to training camp and the start of season, the intensity of the workouts is ramping up with a focus on speed, agility, and strength. It is my goal, and the goal of my teammates, to enter the start of the season in prime condition and ready to compete on the field.
 
What do you like to do in the summer?
 
When I am not playing soccer, which is a rare occurrence, I enjoy hiking, being outdoors, and spending time with my friends and family. I enjoy getting a few rounds of golf in as well while enjoying the beautiful west coast weather. Summer is a time to reconnect with people that I don't get time to spend with during the competitive soccer season and I love the change of pace that comes along with it.
 
What are you most looking forward to when you get back on campus?
 
I am looking forward to returning to my second family - my Gaels family. Being the only player on my team from Vancouver Island, the summer is the longest time period I must go without seeing my teammates on a daily basis. I am really looking forward to reconnecting at training camp, and especially getting to know the new recruits to the team. I miss Kingston and the Queen's community when I am away from it.
 
What is your favourite place on campus? And in Kingston?
 
My favourite place on campus is undoubtedly Richardson Stadium. I am so grateful to play the sport I love in one the most incredible facilities in the country.
 
As for Kingston, my favourite place would have to be the Gord Edgar Downie Pier. Given I am from the West Coast, I love being by the water. It's not quite the ocean, but it does the trick!
 
What's your favourite team memory?
 
My best memory as Gael, amongst many wonderful memories, was winning the OUA Championship in 2021 in a dramatic shootout. I don't think I have ever been prouder of a team and our efforts in my whole life.
 
There have been many more, although slightly less dramatic, moments that will last in memory for years to come: from team dinners to spirit days, from traveling to Montreal to wearing pink and raising money to fighting breast cancer. I believe many of our best memory making events are still yet to come!
 
What's your pre-game ritual and how did it come about?
 
My pre-game ritual centres around giving myself the best start to the day so that I can perform my best as a team member on the field. This includes starting with a healthy meal, a good rest and plenty of hydration.
 
Once at the field, our team's pre-game ritual always consists of a dance party - with a special mention of Devon's dance moves. Our dance parties get us hyped and excited to hit the field and ready to work together to play the best we can. As for other rituals, I have a handshake that I perform with my best friend before I step onto the field. It is a fun little way to connect us before we start the match.
 
What's your favourite pre-game meal and why?
 
Everyone who knows me knows that I love avocados. So avocado toast is the one and only answer to this question.
 
What do you hope to accomplish next season, both individually and as a team?
 
Our team has been given the honour of hosting the U SPORTS National Championship this coming season. We have lofty goals for our performance on the field this term, and each of us is willing to give our best in order to achieve it. Winning a gold medal on the national stage in Kingston is our ultimate goal. This will require hard work and dedication in our season leading up to the November championships; however, our team is prepared to do what it takes. We know the formula for success and we are motivated to achieve it.
 
Individually, I hope to be a leader both on and off the field and show my teammates by example what it means to be a Gaels athlete. We will be a fairly young team next year (with plenty of talent), and as a senior player, I want to lead our team to meet our potential. I also plan to continue developing as a player. It is important that, even in my final years, I strive to be better. I plan to be both an offensive and defensive asset on the field.
 
Ultimately, I am going to give it all I have in my final year in Kingston - I'm ready. I look forward to seeing our Queen's community in Richardson stadium for our home games, and especially in November for Nationals!