Dominating once again, the Martlets Soccer program has had a valiant start to their season, conceding zero goals in five of their opening nine games. This remarkable defensive effort can be largely credited to their new arrival, Ann Stephanie Fortin, the team’s starting goalkeeper. On Sept. 21, Fortin made eight saves, including against a crucial last-minute penalty kick, to add to her shutout tally in a 0-0 tie versus the Bishop’s University Gaiters at Percival Molson Stadium.
Although Fortin, a native of Ste. Julie, Quebec, has only just begun her McGill career, she is already on a path to paving a legacy. In an interview with The Tribune, she credited her impressive performances to her teammates and emphasized the importance of being on the same page during games.
“We work as a team, and we are very strong defensively,” Fortin said. “That is what puts me in the position to make [big plays].”
Before McGill, Fortin played for the Rice University Owls from 2021 to 2024, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I program in the United States. Now, Fortin brings her talents and experience to the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ). Fortin described playing soccer at Rice as a time when she learned a lot about herself.
“[Rice had] a bit of ups and downs, but ultimately confirmed values that were important to me as a person,” she noted. “It was a great experience, academically incredible, [and] that is why I finished my bachelor’s there.”
McGill provided Fortin with the tools she was missing.
“I came to McGill [because], one, I knew what I needed as a player, and I knew what I needed as a human being,” she said. “[I saw] that so many players on the team operated the same way I wanted to operate, [which] made for a natural transition. I know half, if not three-quarters of the [McGill] team. We grew up together, and we went to the same training centre together. We all know how to work with each other.”
Fortin’s college career represents a unique situation, as she has played collegiate athletics in both Canada and the United States. She spoke on the key differences between the two systems.
“I don’t think it is a secret how important it is for an athlete over [in the NCAA] to be physically powerful, fast, and have an incredible amount of endurance,” Fortin stated. “The mentality behind the [United] States approach to soccer is focused on that.”
In contrast, Fortin highlighted the Canadian college soccer model as more technical and closer to how teams in Europe play.
“European teams will do video [analysis],” she explained. “They will look at [videos] after every training [session]. That is what we do at McGill, [which] I really like.”
Soccer and a passion for goalkeeping have long been significant in Fortin’s life. In her youth, Fortin represented the Canadian Under-15 National Team and participated in the Under-20 National Team camp in 2021.
“[Playing for Canada] is my favourite memory,” she expressed. “[When] we played against Mexico, that was the highlight of my career. The pride of being able to represent your country, there is nothing like that.”
Speaking about whether she has considered what her soccer career will look like post-McGill, Fortin emphasized the importance of staying present.
“Honestly, right now, I don’t even want to think about that. I want to have fun and keep trusting the process,” she said. “That is the team’s motto right now, and [mine as well]. I’m having fun while I perform, and it has been a long while since that has happened for me.”
With only six games left in the regular season, Fortin looks to continue her hot streak from the backline and push the Martlets toward the RSEQ Championship in late October.
