BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Forced to the sidelines for what has turned
into a dream season, Laurentian University soccer player Sally
Parent didn't let a ripped tendon in her knee break her
remarkably happy spirit.
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Instead of letting a season-ending
injury get her down, Sally Parent has become the
biggest booster for the Lady Vees soccer squad. |
In the first half of the first exhibition
game of the season, against Concordia University in September,
Parent tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right
knee while she was running after the ball.
"Last year was my biggest year because I
played my best," said Parent. "I was looking to do so much more
this year, but then I got hurt. It was the biggest heartbreak
for me. Just knowing I could have been a good contributor, and
knowing I can't do anything about it now is
disappointing."
After having her knee scoped, Parent, 19, was
sent to a surgeon in Toronto. She was put on a cancellation
list for knee surgery. She has no idea when the corrective
surgery will take place, but knows it must happen soon or she
will face even more grim prospects than one lost season.
"Next season is big for me, but it depends on
when I get my surgery," said Parent. "If I don't have it until
the summer, then I will not be back in time for next season as
well because it takes seven months to recover. That's even more
disappointing because I am missing out on the peak years of the
team. If that happens, I will still be at every practice and
game because I love being a part of this team."
Parent's bad luck stunned the team.
"Sally's loss was a huge blow," said head
coach Rob Gallo. "She was developing into one of the top
defenders in the OUA and had a lot of confidence coming into
the season. She's driven to succeed and will no doubt find her
way back to the soccer field."
Instead of letting the injury and a
potentially bleak future cloud her spirit, Parent has redefined
herself and become the biggest booster for the Lady Vees soccer
squad.
"I am here all the time to give the team a
moral boost," said Parent. "I try to keep everybody's spirits
up. Watching the games is the worst. I am super competitive, so
it's frustrating being only able to yell and cheer for the team
because there's only so much of that you can do. I just want to
get out there and compete."
Parent's positive attitude has been a welcome
addition to the team.
"Sally is well liked by all of the team and
staff," said Gallo. "She has become a loud supporter, always
finding ways to encourage the team to play hard. Her easy going
personality is great to have around."
Parent isn't alone. She has been spending
countless hours with a fellow injured teammate, Kristin Green,
who tore her ACL last season.
"Everybody has been supportive," said Parent.
"Christine has been my everything though. Because she's already
gone through what I am going through, she's telling me I will
get through it."
The Laurentian coaching staff was able to
save a year of her eligibility because she was injured before
the season really started. This means she can come back for a
fifth season if need be.
"I will be back," said Parent. "I love
playing and it's the best university experience you can
get."
The Lady Vees opened the playoffs against
Brock Friday. A win in that game would pit them against the
winner of U of T and Guelph today. A loss
Friday meant the season is over.
