Inspired by her brother, Morgan White (12, HSU) began playing soccer at the age of 3 at the YMCA. Afterwards, she continued to play soccer more consistently, joining her first club team in third grade because she “wanted to start getting a little more serious.” She also played goalie in middle school and at Manual.
White will continue her soccer career after graduation at the University of Cumberlands, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) private school in Williamsburg, Kentucky. She visited Cumberlands recently, and almost instantly committed after having the opportunity to play and interact with the team and coaches.
“It felt like home,” White said.
However, to have gotten where she is now, White had to face one of the worst injuries a soccer player can have: a torn ACL.
During a club game, White played her typical position as goalie during the first half of the game. Later on, in the second half, though, she was given the opportunity to play on the field.
“I actually scored a goal…and then I was going to cut off the angle from the goalkeeper and [it] ended up being the non-contact kind of tear,” White said.
At first, she didn’t believe her injury was anything serious, but after getting an MRI, White discovered the severity of her injury. She also discovered what the recovery process would entail.
“The process is slow, but I feel like it will help me in the long run, I just have to be patient. That’s the hardest part,” White said.
The long process also meant that White would miss out her senior season.
“It was just kind of hard figuring out that I wouldn’t have that opportunity and like every time I went to the doctor, I was like, trying not to cry” White said.
However, White made the best of her situation, still going to team practices and participating in any way she could. She helped coach one of her best friends, Riley Borders (12, HSU), who would replace her as the girls’ varsity team’s primary goalie.
“I just kinda coached her as much as I could with the experience and what coaches have told me in the past, and I tried to share it with her and just kind of hype her up, give her motivation throughout the season,” White said.
White’s injury and recovery process didn’t stop her from traveling down to Williamsburg and watching Cumberlands play during fall break, too. She got to see their playing style and what their team dynamic is like.
White’s recovery has been long, but it’s reaching its end. She’s now focusing on making up for lost time, and working on what she will need to improve her goalie skills.
“[I] kind of focus[ed] on stuff that I knew I needed to work on before I got hurt and really try to get better at those things,” White mentioned.
She’ll be playing for her club team, Fall City, during the spring season. She will also continue her training where she left off last.
Though she had to face some difficult trials throughout her high school career, White was resilient and pushed though. She’s now committed and more excited than ever to see what the next chapter of her life holds for her.
“Always keep a positive mindset. Just stay focused on your recovery and just work back to your goals,” White said.
