After five and a half months of post anterior cruciate ligament surgery and rehab, junior Zoé Trouvé is feeling positive. With soccer season around the corner, the injury is something the 2015 Class 3 Defender of the Year constantly thinks about.

In her first club game, after winning the 2015 State Soccer championship with the Sion soccer team, Trouvé collided with two other girls.

“At first, doctors told me I tore my meniscus. I started crying,” Trouvé said. “Then when they told me it was my ACL, I was numb.”

Trouvé now goes to physical therapy once every two weeks and meets with her personal trainer twice a week. She was unable to play tennis this year but has continued to support her teammates, attending tennis matches and soccer workouts even though she can not participate.

“What is weird is exercising after four months of only physical therapy,” Trouvé said.

Her current mile is 8:04, only 30 seconds slower than her time before the operation. She is hopeful she will be able to start playing sooner than the middle of May, which is when her doctor predicts the knee will be ready.

The team looks to defend their State title this upcoming season, and Trouvé hopes to be a part of that.

“I just want to help them in any way I can,” Trouvé said.

Some good has come out of the ACL injury. With a rigorous course load of five Advanced Placement classes, Trouvé was able to take a step back and focus solely on school work. Although recuperating takes a long time, Trouvé hopes to come back just as strong.

“She was one of our best defenders. I trusted her in the back, not only is she super athletic, but very smart,” senior soccer captain Stephanie Ostrander said. “She will be missed but I can’t wait to have her back as soon as possible.”