Hope Santaniello overcomes MCL injury to lead Rams
Santaniello has one goal to go with a team-leading three assists for the Rams this year. PHOTO CREDIT: gorhody.com
After a knee injury derailed her freshman season, sophomore Hope Santaniello has fought her way back into the starting lineup for URI women’s soccer in 2022, starting all 13 games for the Rams with one goal and three assists on the season.
Santaniello, who was forced to sit out for more than three months with a grade three MCL tear in 2021, only saw action in 10 games for the Rams during her freshman season, making two starts. She managed one goal and one assist in that time, but did not see game action until midway through their conference schedule, according to head coach Megan Jessee.
“She’s just a much more sophisticated player this year; last year she was a little bit more one-dimensional, just trying to run past players,” Jessee said. “In club, you’re a lot faster than a lot of players, that’s easier to do, but at this level you’ve got to be a little more creative.”
With one goal and three assists so far this year, Jessee says that Santaniello is a versatile player that brings a spark of creativity to the field which other players do not offer.
“She’s a player that always goes hard,” Jessee said. “She can dribble, she can combine, she can get in behind, she can hold the ball up, she’s a strong player. So the fact that she can do all of that puts her in the game above some other players who are maybe a little bit more one-dimensional.”
Santaniello has also tallied 27 shots on the season, hitting the target 14 times.
“She’s consistently getting herself in dangerous spots,” Jessee said. “Any time she’s in the game, she can turn the game and she can find a way to score.”
According to Santaniello, her mindset played a large role in her ability to comeback from an injury setback so early in her collegiate career, fueled by a desire to win not only for herself, but for her team.
“For this team, we’re underdogs, from past records and stuff,” Santaniello said. “I just wanted to make that change, and help this team out, with the coaches especially, and my teammates help this team be top of the top.”
As a freshman looking to break into the team, Santaniello described the recovery process as one that was not linear. It took months of physical therapy and constant training to get to the point she has reached today.
“In the summer, I literally trained every single day that I could, even if it was a run, or gym, I would just be out there every single day,” Santaniello said. “For this upcoming season, what could I do? I kept asking questions and just really worked at it.”
Jessee also spoke on the mental aspect of Santaniello’s recovery, an area where she said Santaniello has made notable progress.
“I think she’s a kid that is typically very tough on herself,” Jessee said. “She’s come a long way from that perspective, to be able to analyze things with less emotion, and that’s helped her really progress and become that much better of a player.”
Santaniello will look to continue to make an impact as URI return home to face St. Bonaventure on Sunday, as the Rams are still in search of their first conference win. Kickoff at the URI Soccer Complex is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.