Typically, a torn ACL means the end of an athlete’s season. But when the doctor told Taylor Crawford she’d torn her ACL, she took it as a challenge. After a year of recovery, she’s back on the field for the Piedmont women’s soccer team. proving that one of the most devastating injuries for a soccer player can shape the strongest comebacks.
“When I hit the ground I did not know what happened.” Crawford said, recalling the fateful moment during her freshman season. “I wasn’t in pain I felt my knee shift, but it just felt as though my knee was floating.”
It didn’t take long for the athletic trainer to run over to Crawford, where they would perform a quick integrity test to assess the condition of her knee, The trainer knew something wasn’t right and told her to head to urgent care to get it checked out even further.
“I had both an X-ray and an MRI before receiving the results of my ACL tear. I had surgery scheduled for the week after, so that I could start the recovery process as soon as possible because I knew I wanted to come back as soon as I could to play.”
Feeling excited, but also nervous to enter a new level of soccer by playing at Piedmont. Crawford was ready to learn and grow each game to help her become a better player. Only two months after committing to Piedmont, her approach to freshman year changed with the injury.
“I was heartbroken because I had just committed to play at Piedmont two months prior,” Crawford said,
“But after the sadness wore off I knew that this could be an opportunity for me to grow, work hard, and fight to play soccer again. When I came back to soccer, it was 100-times, more fun to play knowing that I had fought to be where I am today?”
After the surgery, she knew she wanted to do everything it took to play again, even if it was going to be tough. “It was really hard to start moving normally again because you, have to relearn how to walk. I also had a nerve block for my surgery, so you have to wait until you can activate your quad again. The process taught me to keep trying and showing up even when things are hard.”
Crawford worked vigilantly, with her physical therapist for her rehabilitation. When she got to Piedmont she was nine months post-op, so her primary focus was to regain strength.
Although her freshman season didn’t go as planned, Crawford made her presence felt her sophomore year. Crawford scored in the Lady Lions opening game, where they tied Toccoa Falls 1-1. She played in all but one game, making eight starts on the season. In the Lady Lions game against LaGrange College.
Crawford scored her second goal of the season, securing a 4-0 win. She also made the 2024 CCS All-Academic Team.
Crawford received a great deal of support during the season from her friends and family, most notably from her roommate and teammate, Gretchen Dedolph. “My teammates were really supportive of me, andFelt like I was involved in the team.” Crawford said, “I never felt like I wasn’t included because of my injury.”
Dedolph, who like Crawford is a junior on the women’s soccer team, said her teammate staved committed to the team throughout her recovery.
“Freshman year, it was hard watching her not be able to play “Dedolph said. “But she was part of the team just as much as anyone else. She showed up to every game and every trip, cheering us on I’m a proud roommate and best friend”.
Everyone was able to watch her growth during her freshman year as she did everything she could to be back for her sophomore season. “To see her work so hard to come back sophomore year and ball out was incredible”, Dedolph said.
Other teammates of Crawford could see her strength throughout her entire year before she was able to play again. “Watching her go through something as tough as recovery from an ACL tear was heartbreaking.” said teammate Cameron Southard, “I saw how much it took out of her, both physically and mentally But seeing her fight her way back, day after day, has been one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever witnessed. She didn’t just come back, she came back stronger, more determined, and more confident than ever. I couldn’t be prouder of her.”
Taylor kept up the pace in her junior season, playing 17 games and starting in 11. while scoring three goals and tallying an assist for the Lady Lions. Now going into her senior year of playing soccer for Piedmont University, Crawford is ready to finish out her career stronger than ever, and sees the injury as a blessing rather than a curse.
“Looking back, I’m grateful that I tore my ACL because it taught me how to not only become a better soccer player but an overall more rounded person.”
