Entering the fall season, senior midfielder Jason Stacy was destined to be a crucial player for the Spartan men’s soccer team.
After being named a Big Ten preseason player to watch, as well as being a top returning scorer for the Spartans with four goals and seven assists, Stacy was more than motivated to achieve success during his senior season at MSU.
However, on Oct. 28, Stacy faced a roadblock on his path to success.
“I tore my PCL on Wednesday against Oakland and need to (have) surgery,” Stacy said. “I will be out at least for six months recovering.”
In addition to causing him to miss the rest of his final season at MSU, Stacy’s injury will make it difficult for him to pursue an athletic career after graduation.
“This couldn’t have been worse timing considering the (Major League Soccer) draft is coming up in a few months,” Stacy said. “It’s heartbreaking knowing that it will take away my chance of being invited to the combine.”
Aside from the detrimental effect his injury has on his chances of being a professional athlete, his PCL tear also affected his team, which Stacy said will be the thing he will miss the most come graduation.
“The worst part with my injury is not that it hurts my chances of me extending my playing career, but that I can’t help my team in the postseason after all the work we put in day in and day out since August.” Stacy said at the time of injury.
With such an emphasis on team, Stacy received help through teammates on his road to recovery. He is thankful for the help they gave him
“I’d say Jason is one of the hardest working people I know,” sophomore defensemen Jimmy Fiscus said. “No matter how tough it gets, he always finds a way to bounce back and make an impact on the game.”
Despite his injury, Stacy hopes to get back on the field as soon as possible.
“I have been working my whole life to get to the point where I am and for this to happen is hard to accept,” Stacy said. “But it’s just another hurdle to overcome and an opportunity to respond and come back stronger.”
