RECRUIT PROFILE: Gee-Gees add talented defender in Kaylane Hogue

The Gee-Gees women's soccer team is proud to announce another recruit to their highly talented crop of newcomers for the 2019 season. The team is welcoming Kaylane Hogue, an experienced defender with high-level experience on the provincial and international stage. The Montréal native joins the Gee-Gees after being named an RSEQ All-Star in CÉGEP at Collège Montmorency.

Hogue first discovered her love for soccer at nine years old when she joined Delta, a regional club in Laval, Quebec. When she was 13, she was offered the chance to play for A.R.S. Laval, competing against players a year older. The following year, she was invited to her first Team Quebec camp, where she was participated in her first provincial-level matches. Later, she had the opportunity to enter the 'sport-etude' program at the Centre National Haute Performance, giving her the opportunity to train amongst the best soccer athletes in the province. Finally, Hogue decided to attend Montmorency and play for the Nomades, while playing club soccer for A.S. Blainville.

Following her CÉGEP season, Hogue looked to take the next step and join a university program. The Gee-Gees, fresh from a national championship win in 2018, seemed to be the perfect fit for the young standout.

"I heard a lot of good things about the soccer program at the University of Ottawa," she said. "After Steve contacted me and gave me more information on the program, I went on a campus tour and decided it was the place for me to evolve into what I want to become."

Outside of traditional soccer, Hogue has seen significant success in the game of futsal, a five-a-side variant of the game. Essentially, futsal is a shrunken version of soccer, a confined space with less players prioritizes speed and precision. Hogue has represented Quebec on the provincial futsal team, which has taken her to international tournaments across the world. This summer, Hogue is traveling to São Paulo, Brazil with her futsal team to take part in the Red Bull Neymar Jr's Five World Championship.

Throughout her travels, she learned valuable lessons about the connection sport can bring and how important soccer is as an international game.

"In soccer, we all have the same objectives, we all share the same passion," she said. "I realized that no matter where you play or which culture we come from, we all respect and learn from each other. I'm very thankful for everyone I've ever played with or against and every coach that ever helped me grow as a player and a young woman."

As a very quick defender, Hogue can utilize her speed both defensively and to set up the offence. She considers herself an energetic and dynamic player that can play with both feet.

"I'm proud to be joining such a well-respected team," she said, excited to be a part of the Gee-Gees as they embark on defending their national title. "I hope we can recreate last year's experience again."

Academically, Hogue is planning to study Biology at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Science. Outside of career prospects in soccer, she is considering a possible career as a veterinarian in the future.