By: Jaime Beairsto (COM'20)

Satchel Cortet (CAS'20) cannot remember a time when soccer did not play a major role in his life. From the time he was two years old, he was outside playing soccer alongside his brothers, and has been dedicated to growing as a player ever since. Twenty years after he touched his first soccer ball, it's no wonder he was named captain of the Boston University men's soccer team for the 2019 season.
 
"It gives me a great sense of pride to be captain, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity," Cortet said. "It humbles me to know that my actions have a significant impact on the team and the individual players."
 
However, the game he played in his backyard years ago is not the same game he is playing now. The competition has become more intense, and with that, so have the challenges. Becoming a player on a Division I soccer team has exposed him to a variety of talent from all over the globe that he has been able to learn from and ultimately use to better himself as a player.
 
A native of Pennington, New Jersey, the senior admits that he and his teammates are not off to the start they were hoping for this season, but they see every day as an opportunity to get better and work toward the goals they put into place from earlier this year. Each game and every team poses a new challenge for the Terriers, and they are using it to grow as players as they continue into their season.

"It really makes you look in the mirror and ask 'What can I be doing better?' It makes you actually ask the questions that'll benefit you in the future," Cortet proudly stated. "It makes you stand up for the work that you put out."
 
With this being said, Cortet is not one to leave anything but his all on the field at the end of the game. As a consistent starter since his sophomore year with 14 combined points and an active player in nearly every game since, it is evident that he is always looking for a way to make each game he plays better than the one he played before. He has proven to be a true asset to this team, switching his position to left back this season from the midfield to maximize where he can help the team the most.
 
As one of three captains for the Terriers, Cortet analyzes what he can be doing as a leader to motivate his team to reach the next level and come together as a unit. He, along with senior Matt McDonnell and sophomore Kari Petursson work together to recognize where the issues lie and how to approach the problem in the most effective way.
 
"I think our role is to try to keep the guys engaged, but also, I don't think it's just Matt, Kari, and I; we're just the captains who wear the armband. It's all the older members of the team who work as the glue and keep morale high."
 
Cortet does his best to lead by example on the field, but off the field, Cortet has strengthened his leadership skills by involving himself on campus through becoming an orientation program advisor last summer and also working with the University Board on Student Conduct. Majoring in economics and history, he broadened his horizons within the BU community and was able to see a different side of the school.
 
"It allowed me to connect with another part of the BU community that I didn't really get in touch with before," Cortet recalled. "I thought it was a great experience for me to have an impact on the BU community in a different way."
 
Cortet's involvement through participating in both BU soccer and the orientation program advising has opened his eyes to all different aspects of the school and helped him become the well-rounded individual he is today. The unique college experience he has laid out for himself has exposed him to all BU has to offer and has allowed him to take advantage of all different aspects of the University. Cortet reflects on his time at school as he begins his final season with BU soccer:
 
"I've been really happy with my experience at BU. The friends I've made, the connections I've made, and everything I've learned. This school has really pushed me, and I'm a better person for it."