EV All-Star Finally Gets Good Break

Considering Elisha Stickel’s misfortune, today’s appearance with East Valley in the State 3A soccer quarterfinals is as much a wonder as it is a reward.

While playing in a select game during the spring of her sophomore year, Stickel broke her right leg at the shin while being slide-tackled.

The break kept her in a cast for 3-1/2 months and she couldn’t compete for the Knights until late last fall.

Then, with the score tied in a November playoff match against West Valley, she again broke the bone. She underwent surgery following the second break. A metal rod was inserted in the bone and screwed into place.

“Doctors had thought it was fine, but X-rays the second time showed it had not fully healed,” Stickel said. “My doctor and parents said I would never play soccer again.”

Stickel never believed them.

“I said I’d play my senior year,” she said. “I know best.”

The Knights, winners of the Frontier League and district playoffs and a first-round state winner over Hanford, host unbeaten West Valley of Yakima today at 1 p.m.

Stickel, a four-year varsity player, will be on the field, just as she has since the beginning of the season.

“I was cleared a week and one half before the season began,” she said. “I knew from when I broke the leg I would play.”

Stickel, who has eight years of soccer experience, played fullback on defense her first two years with the Knights. This year coach Bill Wright moved her to midfield to avoid collisions and a possible recurrance of the injury.

“I pretty much decided early I didn’t want to take a chance,” he said. “It was a key move. She’s shown a lot of determination and guts.”

She insisted on keeping the rod in her leg for support, although running the risk of shattering the bone if she were hit again. The screws, which caused her pain, were removed.

“It still hurts right where I broke it,” said Stickel, “but soccer is my sport. Nothing was going to stop me.”

Nothing did. Stickel was one of six EV players named to the All-Frontier first team, scoring six goals.

Last Saturday against Hanford, the Knights won 2-1 in a shootout. They trailed 1-0 with six minutes remaining before Heather Lock sent the game into overtime.

Wright’s practices include penalty kicks against goal keeper and Frontier defensive MVP Anita Heaton. To her, a shoot-out is easy.

“Hanford basically dominated the whole game,” said Stickel. “We knew if we got into a shootout, we’d win.”

Stickel originally had planned to play in college, but won’t because of the injuries. The Hanford win prolonged a season - and a career - that is winding down.

“We knew we would go into the playoffs, but I don’t think we expected state competition,” she said. “To do so my senior year has been exciting.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo