Lyndy Van Horn

Allie Messner, a senior and captain on the girls soccer team, tore her ACL before the season. Read to dig a little deeper into the aftermath of her season ending injury.

Why did you choose to play soccer as a kid?

My parents put me in soccer and I was good at it so I continued to play.

What influences in your life contributed to your decision to continue playing soccer at a university?

My love for soccer, obviously, considering if I didn’t like it I would not be playing in college since it’s a lot of work. But also because I tore my ACL it was like I could not let that be the end. Because when I tore it I definitely contemplated being done or continuing to try and play in college with rehab.

Why do you play soccer?

For stress relief, honestly, school is hard, and life is hard but whenever I go to soccer it is like the moment when life isn’t hard.

What makes soccer fun for you? 

The people.

What changed in your life when you learned that you tore your ACL?

My perspective kind of changed on everything. Soccer doesn’t come easy to me but this year was supposed to be the best year out of high school so I sort of had to switch my perspective to like having fun with soccer and also taking it seriously and making sure I am healthy.

What aspect of this setback is the worst for you?

My quads, losing muscle. Looking in the mirror and being like “Where did it go”.

What is the most missed thing for you about not being able to play soccer?

Playing with my teammates (Lyndy Van Horn Specifically).

What keeps you going in your healing process?

Looking forward to playing again.

What have you learned from this setback?

To not take things for granted that I normally would. Like sleeping comfortably, when I had to sleep with a brace on I probably got two hours of sleep. Obviously also taking soccer for granted but it’s also everything else in my life as well.

What are you most excited about when you get back?

Either getting to play against someone for the first time when I get back or just being able to say “I recovered from this and I am basically, hopefully, back to where I was.”