Screaming and rolling around in pain, varsity goalie Kim Leitch got seriously injured during a soccer game against the Vermilion Sailors. With 2 minutes 35 seconds left in the game, Leitch saved the goal, but unfortunately it was her last save of the season.

Leitch broke two bones in her shin, and had surgery on Sept. 26 to make sure her leg heals correctly.

“The girl came dribbling down the left side of the field and I went over [to take the ball] and the Vermilion girl crossed the ball. Another Vermilion girl and Kim both slid for the ball. The shot went wide right, and Kim started screaming,” varsity defender Emily Maurer said.

Leitch grabbed Maurer and varsity defender Justine Beres in pain. Coach Patrick Hopkins immediately called for an ambulance. Leitch was wished good luck by her teammates and other coaches. Leitch will be out for the season but plans to be back next year.

“Lauren Davis has stepped up to play goalie for the rest of the season,” coach Lisa Lesh said. Davis played goalie last year when Courtney Van Atta was injured. Davis ended the Vermilion game with a shutout. The final score was 2-0.

“Being a varsity goalie as a freshman is Kim’s biggest accomplishment this soccer season. She has played a very important role on our team. The team misses Kim and hopes she feels better and recovers quickly. We are hoping she can play next year and will keep our fingers crossed,” Hopkins said.

“There is a chance that anyone on the field will get hurt at anytime. You just have to take the risk,” Davis said. The team is 6-4-2 this season and hope they can keep it up even without Leitch.





Also contributing to this story were Mallory McAninch, Sarah Freelan, Tammy Blankenship and Emily Tylicki.