Ashley Matzkvech knows first-hand the challenge of overcoming a significant athletic injury.

The Ada High School sophomore center back tore both her ACL and meniscus earlier this year during a scrimmage.

“I was going for the ball,” Matzkvech said. “March 6th is when I had my surgery, and I will be able to play soccer sometime in October.”

Matzkvech is determined and confident in her recovery — “Jesus is going to heal me to 100% again,” she said. Her confidence stems from her faith.

“It’s important to me because it’s the only thing that keeps me going. After my surgery, I was very down mentally, but I read this verse [Jeremiah 29:11]: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,’” Matzkvech said. “This reassures me that he didn’t harm me, that he has bigger, better plans for me. So basically, it’s drawn me close to Jesus and to put my faith in him during trials and tribulations.”

Matzkvech started playing soccer her freshman year when an older player inspired her to join the team.

“I loved the challenge of it being new to me and the determination my team had to play the sport,” Matzkvech said.

That’s when she decided she wanted to play soccer collegiately. She built an online recruiting profile and began receiving invites for camps. Her goal once she returns from her knee injury: “to get a soccer scholarship” and make a run in the postseason.

“It would be awesome to win state or even make it to the second round of the playoffs,” Matzkvech said.

In the meantime, Matzkvech has learned how to be a “cheerleader” on the sidelines for her teammates.

“My teammates are very supportive, and we pick up each others’ slack when another can’t,” Matzkvech said. “Outside of our sport, we are pretty close and we have team get-togethers from time to time.”