Simone Romain (left), McKalie Ball (center) and Lauren Newell of Webb School of Knoxville.
BY DAVE LINK
Senior forward McKalie Ball of Webb School of Knoxville leaped into the air Saturday, attempting to hit a header.
She collided with Father Ryan goalkeeper Rachel Beacom and went crashing onto the grass soccer field at Webb.
Ball stayed on the ground before being helped off the field in the 59th minute of the Division II-AA state sectional (quarterfinal) against Father Ryan of Nashville.
Six minutes later, Father Ryan senior forward Chloe Edwards drilled a shot past sophomore goalie Lauren Newell for a 1-0 lead.
Ball, a Louisville commitment and the Lady Spartans’ top offensive threat, was still on the bench. And the Lady Spartans were on the brink of elimination.
“It was really scary,” Ball said of the injury, “but when we got scored on, I knew I had to go back in and I felt OK enough to go back in, so I had to go back in and help out a little bit.”
Her presence was motivation enough.
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