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Emily Kuchta hates cheering from the sidelines. Maybe when I have my own kids, but not now, the New England College junior said. Unfortunately for Kuchta, slapping backs, pounding fists and screaming her lungs out is the only way to support her lacrosse teammates these days.
Kuchta, who graduated from Brien McMahon High School, broke her left fibula during an ice hockey game against Holy Cross on Jan. 29. Her leg was in a cast for six weeks, and her muscles weakened. She is rehabilitating the leg now. Kuchta, who also plays field hockey for the Pilgrims, chomps mightily on the bullet from the sidelines as she waits to return. Its the first time in at least 10 years Maybe forever, she says that she isnt playing a sport. Im having a really hard time with it, Emily says.
Kuchta is patient, though. Although she's desperate to play lacrosse this spring, she knows she cant rush her return to the field. She also knows that she doesnt want to sit on the sidelines ever again.
The injury caught Kuchta off guard. She lost her skate edge and fell, but did not believe at first the injury was serious. I thought it may have been a sprained ankle, Emily says. Ive never broken a bone. I never sat out a game.
Initially, she welcomed the opportunity to catch up on schoolwork and take a break from competition. When the Pilgrims lost to Norwich University in the East Coast Athletic Conference championship, 3-0, Kuchtas frustration grew. Thats my team, and I couldnt be out there helping them, Kuchta said.
Kuchtas desire to return to the field stems from seeing the finish line. She has one more year in college, and then her careers over. Its my only time to play, she says. This is all I have left.
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