OSHAWA, Ont. – In the world of sports, athletes often embark on a journey that extends far beyond the confines of the field. For Erion Metaj, a dedicated Ridgeback student-athlete at Ontario Tech, this journey has been nothing short of transformative. It's a story of personal growth, resilience, and the profound impact of being part of a community that believes in the power of sports to shape lives.
 
From the moment he joined the Ridgebacks men's soccer team, Metaj knew he was stepping into uncharted territory. Transitioning from his grassroots club, Whitby FC, to a university setting was a significant adjustment. Suddenly, he found himself surrounded by 24 new teammates and a coaching staff with different strategies and tactics. It was a challenging environment where everyone was vying for a spot on the roster and valuable minutes in the OUA.
 
"I think my first years as a Ridgeback was a really confusing and difficult time for me," he said. "You really don't know what to expect school-wise. You just go into it and just hope for the best."
 
What helped Metaj navigate these early challenges was the power of practice and the camaraderie of his team. Game by game, road trip by road trip, he began to understand what it truly meant to be a Ridgeback. The close-knit nature of the men's soccer team became a source of strength and inspiration.
 
"I've been on a lot of different teams, and there's no team like this Ridgeback team," Metaj said. "Not just this year, but the previous years. You just have a close group where everybody believes in each other."
 
This sense of community is precisely what sets the Ridgebacks apart from other universities. It's a small community within a larger one, where everyone supports each other, both on and off the field. Metaj found solace and belonging in this unique environment, and it became the driving force behind his decision to choose Ridgebacks over any other university.
 
However, the journey wasn't without its setbacks. In his second year, Metaj faced the harsh reality of being cut from the team.
 
"Coach Ramin had said 'we can only carry 25 guys' and I don't know what I was thinking at the time, but I didn't think much of it. I just thought I had a lot at stake, and I'll do whatever I can do be a player on this team."
 
Mohammadi would eventually call Metaj and a few other players into his office with the entire coaching staff, and let them know they were cut. The situation was a blur to Metaj from there. Mohammadi kept talking, but Metaj could only replay the words "You're cut" in his head until the end of the meeting and found himself angry and confused as to why the coaches didn't see what he saw in himself.
 
Motivated by a conversation with Coach Michael Maiorano, he took on the challenge of proving himself once again. The coaching staff had given Metaj a week to prove himself, and he pushed himself to the limits, determined to earn his spot back on the team. And when he succeeded, it wasn't just about being a player; it was about becoming an impactful player that the team could rely on.
 
Metaj's dedication and hard work paid off as he started making significant contributions to the team. With a position change to striker, he embraced the opportunity to improve his attacking game and become a threat on the field. His awareness of the game shifted from a defensive perspective to an offensive one, allowing him to create scoring opportunities and assist his team in achieving success.
 
The turning point for Metaj and the Ridgebacks came during the OUA season when they overcame a tough middle portion of the schedule that included losses to Nipissing and Laurentian on the road after losing to Carleton and tying TMU at home. For Metaj, this was rock bottom for the team, and doubt began to creep in about their ability to defeat top teams in the OUA.

"That bus ride home was the worst I've ever been on," said Metaj. "Not a single word was said. I remember sitting next to Luciano (Nania) and just looking at each other like 'what is going on?' we knew it was bad."

The team began to approach every game as must-win situations as they adjusted their sights from a first or second seed to fighting for the sixth seed in the playoffs. Metaj says the team also began to lean on their mental strength and practicing yoga, which allowed them to bounce back when things began to go sideways, and slowly but surely, the Ridgebacks team began to believe.

"What we did so well at is just bouncing back through these problems through these hurdles, and just keep building and building and using it as motivation to, hey, this is going to be a fairy tale story," said Metaj.
 
When the Ridgebacks won the OUA championship, it was a culmination of their hard work, perseverance, and unwavering belief in each other. Metaj scored two goals in the final, a brace that he still finds surreal to this day. But for him, it wasn't just about individual glory; it was about doing it for the team, the coaches, and the entire Ridgeback community.

 
And as he stood on the field, celebrating with his teammates, Metaj couldn't help but feel grateful for the support of the Ridgebacks community, who came out to cheer them on, but also grateful for the bumps in the road that brought the Ridgebacks to the OUA Finals.

"Those hurdles, I believe, are what made us an OUA championship team and persevering through those hurdles led us to becoming a successful team," said Metaj. "So I'm honestly grateful for those hurdles coming, because it led us to winning my first OUA championship and the school's first OUA championship for the men's soccer program."
 

Looking ahead

 
As Metaj reflects on his journey as a Ridgeback, he hopes to inspire future players to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come their way. He wants them to understand that being a Ridgeback means being part of a culture like no other, where the blue and orange jerseys represent a community that supports and uplifts each other.
 
"If you decide to be a Ridgeback, it comes at a high price," Metaj emphasized. "When you wear that badge, when you wear that logo, when you wear the blue jersey, the orange jersey, the white jersey, you step on Vaso's Field, it means you're part of a community, a culture like no other, and it will be one of the best cultures and teams you'll ever be a part of, and you'll enjoy the four to five years of your OUA career at Ontario Tech."
 
Metaj's story is a testament to the power of sports in shaping lives and building communities. It's a reminder that the journey is just as important as the destination and that the bonds formed on and off the field can last a lifetime. As he continues to grow and evolve as a Ridgeback, Metaj remains committed to leaving a lasting legacy and inspiring others to do the same.