Down but not out: McGinnis is finding a new approach to soccer
October 23, 2017 | Women's Soccer
After an ACL injury, forward Sydney McGinnis is seeing soccer from a whole new perspective
MADISON, Wis. – For some athletes it can be difficult going from a starting position to watching the game from the sidelines. For senior forward Sydney McGinnis of Wisconsin women's soccer, the new point of view has brought new opportunities, a new love of the game and a new passion.
"I know nothing's guaranteed at this point but I'm very hungry to get back to the point that I was at and finish off soccer the way that I want to finish off soccer," McGinnis said.
A native of Park Ridge, Illinois, McGinnis started every game of 2016 for Wisconsin and ended the season second on the team in shots and shots on goal. A standout season for McGinnis, she acknowledges her success from 2016 and admits she was feeling better than ever.
"It was kind of a standout season for me, I finally kind of found my wings a little bit," McGinnis said. "By the end I was playing a lot and feeling very confident and was in the best shape I've ever been in in my entire life. I was very happy with the way that my season ended and the way I was playing."
Already looking forward to the final season of her career, McGinnis was prepared to enter as a leader on a young team and help Wisconsin find even more success. Things don't always go as planned, though.
"My body just collapsed under me. I knew instantly."
In the first practice back following spring break, McGinnis was playing in an intra-squad game and went to make a cut. The results came back and the forward found out she had torn her ACL in her left leg.
"Devastating" was the word McGinnis used to describe her reaction upon hearing the news. No stranger to an ACL injury however, she tore her right ACL, MCL and meniscus in high school, McGinnis took a different approach this time around, admitting she surprised herself by being more positive and trying to not get down herself.
Nearing the end of the 2017 season, Wisconsin has found success on the field this year posting an 11-4-2 overall record, 5-3-2 in the Big Ten. Although not on the field each game, McGinnis is happy to see the young team succeed.
"I'm so excited for the team, I think they're great and I'm so proud of the people who have stepped up this year," McGinnis said. "Of course, yes I want to be on the field, who doesn't? But I'm super happy for them, genuinely."
Many times, an injury can bring a different outlook on a sport, or bring teaching moments to a player. McGinnis' situation has definitely made her experience those learning points. Considering herself a vocal player on the field, McGinnis had to find a different way to help out from the sidelines this season.
"If people come to me for advice I'm totally there to be straight up and not cut corners. I'm not one to say 'you're doing great; you don't need to improve on anything' that wouldn't help," McGinnis said. "I'll tell people what to work on so they can get better. I try to be the friend and the person people can come to for advice."
Throughout the years McGinnis has filled just about every role an athlete can find him or herself in. Going from not playing much in her freshman season, to playing here and there, then going on to play a full 90 minutes each game and now sitting on the bench, McGinnis accepts her new position graciously.
"It's just kind of different for me. I'm taking on a different role and it's just being the older, wiser type of player where people can come and ask me questions, or vent, or get my take on the view."
Knowing she has become a mentor figure on a young team, McGinnis recognizes the silver lining.
"Hopefully people are seeing me put in hard work and trying to get back and that can inspire them to put in hard work to try and become a better player," McGinnis said.
Although she has missed an entire season, the passion never faded for McGinnis. Where she is at in her rehab and career right now though, almost six months out or surgery and nearing her final offseason, the field is calling her name.
"Right now I'm at a point where I just want to play soccer," McGinnis said. "I don't care what it is, I don't care what it takes."
With one game left in the regular season, a home match against Big Ten powerhouse Penn State, Wisconsin is looking to gain one more victory heading into the Big Ten tournament.
Regardless of the outcome, McGinnis will be rooting for her teammates from the sideline, thankful she has one more opportunity to get back on the field.
If you ask her if she's ready to return to the pitch and resume play, the answer is quick and straight forward.
"Absolutely."
"I know nothing's guaranteed at this point but I'm very hungry to get back to the point that I was at and finish off soccer the way that I want to finish off soccer," McGinnis said.
A native of Park Ridge, Illinois, McGinnis started every game of 2016 for Wisconsin and ended the season second on the team in shots and shots on goal. A standout season for McGinnis, she acknowledges her success from 2016 and admits she was feeling better than ever.
"It was kind of a standout season for me, I finally kind of found my wings a little bit," McGinnis said. "By the end I was playing a lot and feeling very confident and was in the best shape I've ever been in in my entire life. I was very happy with the way that my season ended and the way I was playing."
Already looking forward to the final season of her career, McGinnis was prepared to enter as a leader on a young team and help Wisconsin find even more success. Things don't always go as planned, though.
"My body just collapsed under me. I knew instantly."
In the first practice back following spring break, McGinnis was playing in an intra-squad game and went to make a cut. The results came back and the forward found out she had torn her ACL in her left leg.
"Devastating" was the word McGinnis used to describe her reaction upon hearing the news. No stranger to an ACL injury however, she tore her right ACL, MCL and meniscus in high school, McGinnis took a different approach this time around, admitting she surprised herself by being more positive and trying to not get down herself.
Nearing the end of the 2017 season, Wisconsin has found success on the field this year posting an 11-4-2 overall record, 5-3-2 in the Big Ten. Although not on the field each game, McGinnis is happy to see the young team succeed.
"I'm so excited for the team, I think they're great and I'm so proud of the people who have stepped up this year," McGinnis said. "Of course, yes I want to be on the field, who doesn't? But I'm super happy for them, genuinely."
Many times, an injury can bring a different outlook on a sport, or bring teaching moments to a player. McGinnis' situation has definitely made her experience those learning points. Considering herself a vocal player on the field, McGinnis had to find a different way to help out from the sidelines this season.
"If people come to me for advice I'm totally there to be straight up and not cut corners. I'm not one to say 'you're doing great; you don't need to improve on anything' that wouldn't help," McGinnis said. "I'll tell people what to work on so they can get better. I try to be the friend and the person people can come to for advice."
Throughout the years McGinnis has filled just about every role an athlete can find him or herself in. Going from not playing much in her freshman season, to playing here and there, then going on to play a full 90 minutes each game and now sitting on the bench, McGinnis accepts her new position graciously.
"It's just kind of different for me. I'm taking on a different role and it's just being the older, wiser type of player where people can come and ask me questions, or vent, or get my take on the view."
Knowing she has become a mentor figure on a young team, McGinnis recognizes the silver lining.
"Hopefully people are seeing me put in hard work and trying to get back and that can inspire them to put in hard work to try and become a better player," McGinnis said.
Although she has missed an entire season, the passion never faded for McGinnis. Where she is at in her rehab and career right now though, almost six months out or surgery and nearing her final offseason, the field is calling her name.
"Right now I'm at a point where I just want to play soccer," McGinnis said. "I don't care what it is, I don't care what it takes."
With one game left in the regular season, a home match against Big Ten powerhouse Penn State, Wisconsin is looking to gain one more victory heading into the Big Ten tournament.
Regardless of the outcome, McGinnis will be rooting for her teammates from the sideline, thankful she has one more opportunity to get back on the field.
If you ask her if she's ready to return to the pitch and resume play, the answer is quick and straight forward.
"Absolutely."
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