Ten minutes into the game, a piercing scream filled the air. It was my scream. I have never felt this type of vulnerability. In front of hundreds of people, I laid in the grass, whimpering.

I don’t consider myself a weak person, but that moment broke me.

“Miss, you’re going to be okay, hang in there,” said Meg.

I could barely hear my teammates as my screams pierced the air.

“Meg, I can’t move it!” I couldn’t help but yell.

Soccer makes me, me. It puts me at ease, makes me excited, and gives me an intense determination I carry into my life outside of soccer.

The deltoid ligament, the thickest ligament in your ankle… I tore that? When the doctor told me I couldn’t play soccer for two months, I cried. This would be my last upcoming club season because I was U-18 now. By the time I get back, I won’t be at the same level as my teammates. What if I’m not ready for my last State Cup?

My next step was physical therapy. Eight weeks. This was something I’ve never done before, including new places, new people, new schedule. Before I knew it, it was my fifth week and I had already achieved my eight week goals. I told my therapist I wasn’t done and that I needed new goals—much harder ones.

State Cup came quickly after I finished my physical therapy. I was fully recovered to play and I was ready to help lead my team to victory. I have never been more determined in my life.
Soccer brings out my competitive, determined, and hard working characteristics. It was at that moment when I stepped onto the field at State Cup, that I knew if I put my whole self into something, I am invincible.