Wright's return
ADAMS TWP — Dillon Wright was done with soccer.
Playing in the fall, winter, spring and summer since she was 6 sapped the Mars senior’s enthusiasm.
Wright decided she would take her senior season off.
That plan held firm until she was buried by a tidal wave of encouragement in August.
“I came back a week-and-a-half into the preseason,” Wright said. “Ever since 8th grade, I’ve never been into soccer and didn’t like it. My parents wanted me to play and I did it for them. I was sick of it and didn’t want to do it anymore.”
Texts from coaches, players and other parents brought Wright back to the center-midfield.
Wright’s ability to help set up her teammates has helped Mars start 11-1, including a 10-0 mark in Section 2-AA.
“It was important she be around,” Planets coach Blair Gerlach said. “Besides the fact she’s a talented player, she’s a natural leader. ... People just end up around her when she shows up somewhere.”
Soccer has been tough on Wright at times. She has suffered three concussions, including one that ended her freshman season early.
As a junior, Wright scored 14 goals and was a captain on a Mars team that reached the WPIAL finals before eventually losing in the state quarterfinals.
She didn’t play in the spring and ended up taking 10 months off. Wright still worked out to stay fit, but didn’t play any soccer.
“We kind of knew it was coming, but we didn’t think she was going to go through with it,” Mars senior Erin Posey said. “We were shocked at first. She has a great work ethic and we knew it was going to be a different environment without her.”
Everything changed at once, according to Wright. She was overwhelmed by the amount of text messages asking her to come back from people surrounding the program.
“My closest friends had been nagging me every day,” Wright said. “Blair texted me one night and said the team missed me and I was welcome back anytime. ... It all happened one night. I felt bad for quitting and felt like I was letting everyone down.”
Once Wright returned, it took her about two or three weeks to get back in the swing of things. Her role has also seen a change. Wright’s served as a facilitator this season more than a scorer.
“At the beginning of the season, I think she was a little gun shy,” Gerlach said. “There has definitely been a switch that’s been turned on. She’s become an engine for us. She’s been involved in every place, if she played hockey she’d have 20 assists.”
Wright has 10 assists this season so far and has registered three goals.
“I’m not scoring as much, but I don’t care,” Wright said. “I’m looking to get the ball to the forwards or give quick give-and-goes. I’m setting up more plays and creating more.”
Wright’s also enjoying playing again. She plays for the people and not the sport.
Everyone else enjoys having her back.
“We didn’t think we were going to be able to convince her,” Posey said. “When we found out, we were so pumped. It gave new life to the team.”
