Paige Letourneau tore her ACL and meniscus, as well as sprained her MCL during a Woodland Summer League game vs. Watertown. 

Letourneau is one of two senior soccer captains. Her position is either forward or outside midfield. 

“I believe I am a key player on the field due to my speed and my ability to score or assist,” Letourneau said.

Letourneau injured her leg at a game against Watertown over the summer. As she was dribbling the ball, she was slide tackled from behind resulting in making contact with her kneecap, pushing it one way when her leg went the other way.

Despite the injury, Letourneau’s soccer career is far from over. She is going to college at Long Island University on a Division 1 soccer scholarship. There, she will be studying health science and then transferring into a physical therapy program doctorate.

Her friends and family at Woodland are supporting her throughout the process, and giving her motivation to continue playing. Also, being a captain of the Woodland Girls Soccer Team made her realize she has to be a part of this team no matter what.

“And I was also captain, [making sure to show up to every game, practice, or any soccer event in general], however realizing that the main reason I showed up was because I couldn’t stand to do without like my friends and my family,” Letourneau said.

She is going to continue to be there for her friends on the team by helping with practice,  motivation, and planning for the future. She has also helped her coach with offensive formats and shooting techniques that her coach gives to the team.

Letourneau is taking careful steps toward her recovery with physical therapy and exercise. Letourneau had surgery on August 22nd. It has now been about ten weeks since her surgery and she has improved greatly. She can now drive and regularly attends physical therapy. She started with crutches and now is at the point where she does not have to wear the brace, although she likes to wear it on uneven surfaces and at school just in case something were to happen. Physical therapy has helped her recover and the feeling of being able to do certain everyday activities independently.

Letourneau’s injury will not define her future soccer career, instead she will use it for motivation to work her hardest being the best soccer player she could possibly be.