STEPHANIE COMPTON
Sports Writer
comptose@plu.edu
The women’s soccer team can’t seem to catch a break this season.
Within the last few months, they’ve already lost three players to season-ending injuries.
Senior Lauren Larson and Junior Kaylie Rozell are both out with torn ACLs and sophomore Kristi Kaneta has a broken ankle.
Larson’s injury occurred before the 2015 season even began.
In a pre-England trip practice, Larson landed wrong in a one vs. one drill and “heard a huge crack.” That was the sound of her ACL breaking; something only surgery could fix.
During the Lutes home game against Willamette, Kaneta broke her ankle going up for a header against another player. Kaneta says this injury is an especially difficult one to deal with, “Athletes are always going to have this constant struggle of dealing with injuries and I’ve had my fair share, but nothing like this.”
Injuries are common in contact sports like soccer and PLU has an entire staff dedicated to preventing and helping athletes recover from injuries.
“Our coaching staff as well as our trainers do an amazing job and hold us accountable of doing rehab, getting in the weight room and conditioning to prevent muscle and tendon injuries,” Kaneta said, commending her coaching and training staff.
ACL injuries and even ankle breaks are things that no amount of preventative training can avoid. With intense training and rehab, the Lutes will have their players back in no time.
In sports, time is not something to take for granted.
Larson is redshirting this season in order to play her final season as a Lute next year. Though she will not be present on the field this season, Larson will be as much a leader off the field as she would have been on the field.
“Even though I can’t be on the field everyday I want the young players to see that I am still dedicated to the team’s success even if that dedication isn’t coming from my actions on the field.”
Losing three experienced players is not easy for any program, but the Lutes have been rallying behind their injured teammates.
The Lutes are currently 8-1-1 overall with 4 conference wins.
The Lutes next home game is Sunday October 25th against George Fox.
PHOTOS BY BAILEY PLUMB
