Hinsdale South’s Jean Cote, the starting goalkeeper on last year’s Class 2A fourth place team, has almost recovered from an offseason ACL injury.
Cote said Saturday at the Pepsico Showdown that she has another appointment with a doctor Wednesday and hopes to receive clearance to return to the field shortly.
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She tore the ACL in her right knee while performing on the school’s cheerleading squad in October.
The Hornets have only one other starter back from last year’s 19-8-1 squad, junior defender Madison Cebular.
“I was so mad (when I got injured),” Cote said. “I couldn’t do club (soccer) and obviously I can’t play for the (high school team).”
Cote said she failed a physical last month and continues to undergo rehab.
“It’s hard work, but it makes me want to go out there even more,” Cote said. “This gives me more motivation.”
On Saturday, seventh-seeded Hinsdale South (1-4) lost to Streamwood (2-5) 2-1 in two overtimes in the first round of the Pepsico Showdown.
The Hornets scored the first goal with 19 minutes left in the first half when Courtney Cavalli put her left-footed shot just inside the upper left corner.
First-year coach Jen Belmonte has relied on senior goalkeeper Jessica Park, who played for her club team, Chicago Inter, last season and sat out the high school campaign.
Coincidently, three years ago she also tore the ACL to her right knee in a soccer-related accident.
“I feel really bad for Jean. I know what she’s going through,” Park said.
Park was a forward before her injury and this spring believed she was going to play a field position for the Hornets. She has played goalkeeper before and Belmote asked her at preseason tryouts if she could fill in for Cote.
Park’s best game of the season came during a 2-0 loss at Lincoln-Way Central Friday, according to Belmonte. It was the third time in four games that the Hornets were shut out.
Meanwhile, during the Streamwood game, Cote was on the sidelines recording video.
“She helps me warmup,” Park said. “It’s been really fun playing for the team. I having a lot more fun with this team in general.”
Twitter @geomwilcox