Sara Corson liked playing soccer at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, but a set of circumstances sidetracked her Division I soccer career.
“I liked it there,” said Corson. “I was getting some good experience. But I was then diagnosed with epilepsy. In the preseason (of the 2013 season), I started having issues. I was diagnosed, then misdiagnosed and that just made it worse.”
Needless to say, Corson didn’t know how to handle the illness and continue her soccer career.
“Of course, I was worried,” Corson said. “At first, the doctors were fine and I played a good amount with it.”
Corson played in 10 matches as a freshman in 2012 and seven in the 2013 campaign. She scored two goals for the Scarlet Knights during her sophomore campaign and helped the Scarlet Knights to two straight appearances in the NCAA Division I women’s soccer tournament.
Corson was a three-time All-State performer at Metuchen High School and was a three-sport letter winner there, earning letters in basketball and track and field as well as soccer.
But dealing with a serious illness is no laughing matter.
Corson decided to leave New Brunswick. When her younger sister, Emily, decided to attend Rutgers-Newark, that’s when Corson chose to join her.
“I always wanted to play with Emily,” Corson said. “I wanted to get a fresh start.”
That was good news to the Scarlet Raiders’ coaching staff, especially Ariana Ruela, who became the head coach this fall.
“When we were recruiting her sister, she expressed interest in coming to Rutgers-Newark,” said Ruela, who was an assistant coach for three years before taking over the head coaching position this year. “I don’t know if that helped Sara make her decision, but we were open about having both of them. It was an absolute stroke of luck.”
Last year, in her first year with the Scarlet Raiders, Corson shattered school records for goals in a season (24) and points (55).
This season, Corson has done more of the same, scoring an astounding 11 goals in 10 games, including two goals in each of the Scarlet Raiders’ recent wins over Mount St. Vincent and Widener, leading Rutgers-Newark to an impressive 8-2 record thus far, except she’s playing on the forward line this season.
“We just don’t get skilled players like Sara every day,” Ruela said. “She fit right in right away. She’s taken the other players to a new level. She’s challenged the other players as well. She’s strong to the ball and a very physical player. She’s a typical Division I athlete now play Division III and you can see how awesome she’s been.”
Ruela said that it’s amazing how many goals Corson is able to collect from her midfield slot.
“It’s a testament to the quality of player she is,” Ruela said. “She’s a good finisher and we’ve been successful with that. I think it goes back to the point that Sara and her teammates have a great chemistry together. They’re all reaching each other better and finding the right balance that’s working for us.”
Corson said that she doubted herself a little when she first arrived at R-N.
“I had such high expectations of myself,” Corson said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I think I’m doing better than I could have imagined. I’m getting good support from my teammates.”
More importantly, Corson has her epilepsy now under control.
“I take medication now,” Corson said. “I have no side effects whatsoever. I know what my triggers are and I try to avoid those. A lack of sleep will usually trigger a seizure, so I can’t pull all nighters studying like other college students. I can’t eat food with red dye in it. Any time of anxiety is bad. I’m doing my best to deal with it.”
It also helps having her little sister around. Emily is a sophomore defender.
“It’s fun,” Corson said. “I enjoy playing with her. We still have our little arguments about clothes and things like that.”
While Sara is a resident at the school, Emily is a commuter who lives at home.
“But she stays with me almost every day of the week,” Corson said. “I love her. She’s my sister. Of course, I let her stay with me.”
Ruela said that Corson has emerged as a team leader.
“She’s one of our captains,” Ruela said. “She leads both on and off the field. She’s a silent leader. She works hard and leads by example. That’s just her character and just the way she is. She fits in nicely with those who are more vocal.”
But Corson has a fun side to her personality as well.
“Last year, for Halloween, she dressed up as one of the characters from ‘Monsters, Inc.,’” Ruela said. “Sara is just a good fit for us. She’s witty and very smart. It’s wonderful having her on board with us. The team is enjoying her, for sure.”
Corson is on target to get her degree in psychology this year. She eventually wants to go to graduate school for occupational therapy.
“Everything is going real well right now,” Corson said. “If we all play together, I like the direction the team is going. I definitely made the right move coming here.”
