A few weeks ago, Pier Roca, the star soccer player in his senior year, tore his ACL, which brought an end to his soccer season. Similarly to how this same injury ended earlier than expected a total of three other athletes at ILS. Pier has found this injury not only physically painful, but also to be an emotional struggle.

“I had dedicated years of my life to the sport; I basically grew up with soccer. And I was looking forward to playing my last final match, as well as running track this upcoming season,” he said.

The ACL or Anterior Cruciate Ligament is an important part of the knee that provides stability to the joint. A tear in the ACL is a common injury among athletes, especially soccer players. Unfortunately, unlike other common injuries such as ankle sprains, it can take months of rehabilitation and rest to fully recover. For Pier, this brings him to the end of his athletic high school career. 

Pier’s injury is a reminder of the importance of taking care of one’s body while playing sports. Injuries can happen at any time and can be devastating to an athlete’s career. It’s important for athletes to listen to their bodies and take the necessary precautions to avoid injuries, such as wearing appropriate gear and warming up properly before games.

The injury has also highlighted the importance of keeping your head high in the face of adversity, and have something to always look forward to. Pier’s love for the sport has been challenged by his injury, but he has the support of his team, coaches, and family to help him through this difficult time. 

Conversely, Pier doesn’t want to discourage the Soccer team’s ability through his absence. As they had a successful season with high hopes of qualifying for the state championship this past Wednesday against NSU even though they came up short. Pier wants to keep his team focused on the initial goal that each player has set himself to achieve. For Pier, this means continuing his rehabilitation and staying positive, with the hope of one day returning to the sport he loves.