Hassen returns to Pirates

BRADEN RIVER — Braden River midfielder Rachel Hassen has never been one to let up on the soccer field.

But that all changed 11 months ago when the then junior went up for a ball in the second half of the Lady Pirates district game versus Seminole Osceola and suffered a hard hit to the head.

Hassen blacked out and fell to the ground. When she finally awoke on the field, Hassen was taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a concussion.

Although it’s not the concussion itself that bothers Hassen the most — it’s the fact that she can’t remember anything after the minute she went up for the ball.

“All I remember is opening my eyes and seeing coach and Miss Katie (Gallagher) right there,” said Hassen, who also suffered a concussion her sophomore year. “Some people say you remember later on, but I still don’t remember.”

While lying in the hospital, Hassen contemplated whether she would ever be able to play soccer again.
“I didn’t know how long the recovery was,” Hassen said.

Shortly thereafter, Hassen suffered another setback when she was diagnosed with Costochondritis, or inflammation of the sternum.

“It was during my concussion … I don’t know how it happened,” Hassen said. “It might’ve been when I landed, but they don’t know for sure. It’s something with my injury, but they don’t know what started it.”

As a result of her injuries, Hassen was forced to sit out the remainder of the season, including the district tournament, which proved to be even more discouraging for the Lady Pirates captain.

“Districts is what counts, and knowing I couldn’t play was disappointing,” Hassen said.

After taking nearly seven months off, Hassen returned to the field in August. She spent the fall playing with the Braden River Rage U19 team. However, although she was happy to finally be able to play again, the season proved to be challenging at times.

“I didn’t play the whole time,” Hassen said. “I’ve never really had to stop before, so that was the hardest part.

“I’m more cautious now,” she said. “I know my limits.”

In October, Hassen returned to Braden River for her senior season, and since then has recorded two goals and seven assists while helping lead the Lady Pirates to a 5-2-3 record.

“I cannot tell you enough about how much she has meant to this team over the past three years,” coach Don Engelberger said. “Rachel is a coach’s delight, because she comes to practice to listen, learn and execute.

“She works just as hard at practice as she does on game days,” he said. “It really sets the tone for the rest of the team.”

Hassen began playing soccer 12 years ago after watching her older brother, Jeff, play. She joined the Braden River Soccer Club and while she has tried other clubs, Hassen has always returned to Braden River.

“It’s so hard to explain why I like it,” Hassen said of soccer. “I like the physical aspect of it and that it’s been in my family, and my family enjoys watching it.”

In her final season at Braden River, Hassen is hoping once again to lead the Lady Pirates to another district championship while enjoying playing with her younger sister, Amanda, for the first time.

“I love it,” Hassen said of playing with her sister. “We have so much fun together. We can joke around and she’s the only person who really knows me. She’s been watching me play since I was little, and this is the first year we get to play together.

“I’m glad to be back,” she said. “It’s my senior year and I’ve always wanted to graduate playing soccer.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].