Overcoming injuries is a reality that athletes must face in sports. No matter the sport, getting some bumps and bruises is all part of the game.

But some injuries are more serious than others and can have a dramatic effect on athletes.

Greater Latrobe’s junior Ava Yurko suffered one of those more serious injuries last year, tearing her ACL, LCL, and meniscus in September of 2022. She ultimately was out for the rest of the soccer season, and had surgery in October. However, even in the face of adversity, Yurko never gave up the desire to return to the pitch.

After months of rehab, Yurko found herself back on the field playing with her Riverhounds Academy team in April.

“It was just so surreal to me,” she mentioned. “You sit on the bench for so long, and watch from a different perspective. Just to finally be back on the field and have everything click in the brain again, it was so great to get back out there.”

Fast forward another handful of months, and Yurko was once again repping the black and orange for the Wildcats, scoring six goals for them during their 13-3-0 season.

She would follow up the incredible comeback season with her college commitment, choosing the Penguins of Youngstown State University.

“It’s a huge weight lifted off my shoulders,” she noted. “I know this isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning of the next part of my life.”

During her visit to YSU, she was blown away with the facilities and beauty of the campus. With the mix of the academics, the coaches, and the players, it was a no brainer for Yurko to choose the Penguins.

With her pledge, she is the fifth player from this past year’s team to commit to play Division I soccer joining Regan Reilly (Bowling Green), Ella Bulava (Maryland), Maddy Petruzzi (Valparaiso), and Robin Reilly (West Virginia).

“I feel like having such a great group of players, it really creates a competitive environment,” Yurko commented on the talent level Greater Latrobe boasts. “It’s great to get with a different group of girls from your club team.

“Going against different players requires different tactics and skillsets,” she said. “I think it really helps us learn to adapt.”

With a large number of returners for next year, Yurko and the Wildcats look to replicate the success they’ve had in recent seasons. However, she knows there is still plenty of work to do before they can reach their goals.

“We always try to work on being more clinical in front of the net and on set pieces,” the future-Penguin added. “I think we definitely have the potential to continue to improve on that.”