ADAMS TWP — Karli Paracca and Amber Fichter saw the 2013 high school girls soccer season from different angles, but a common goal was reached by both of them last month.

Paracca (Kent State) and Fichter (Duquesne) signed a letter of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers in college.

“Karli is one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever coached,” Gerlach said of Paracca. “She’ll embrace whatever role Kent State has for her.

“Amber is very versatile,” he added. “She can score goals up front and also play in the midfield or in the back. She can give a team a lot of different looks.”

Paracca was preparing to cap an already stellar scholastic career — 85 goals in three seasons — when she tore the ACL in her left knee while playing for Northern Steel’s club team last summer.

She was present at every practice and game during the Planets’ season in the fall, though not being able to contribute on the field was a tough pill to swallow.

“Nobody can say how much it stinks until you actually go through it,” Paracca said. “I was so frustrated.”

Paracca, who verbally committed to Kent State as a junior, took it upon herself to notify the women’s soccer program of her injury.

“I wanted them to find out from me,” she said. “Since it happened, I have informed them of how my rehab was going. They know I’m a hard worker.”

Kent State coach Rob Marinaro never had second thoughts of bringing Paracca into the program.

“We did not hesitate to keep our commitment to Karli,” he replied in an emailed statement. “One, it is the moral and ethical thing to do, but we know she can recover and do the work to get herself ready to compete at this level.”

The Golden Flashes finished with a 12-7 record last season. Marinaro is excited about what Paracca can add to the team.

“I believe Karli has all the tools to come in and contribute right away,” he wrote. “How much work she puts in over the summer will determine how quickly that happens.

“She has tremendous speed and puts a lot of pressure on defenders, but also has the technical ability to be a goal scorer.”

Paracca has been cleared by her doctors and plans to compete in sprint events for Mars’ girls track team this spring. She last ran track as a freshman.

“I have to get back into shape,” she said. “It’s all about what you put into it and I know it’s going to pay off.”

Paracca wasn’t the only Planet to go down with a season-ending injury last fall. Seniors Maggie Sarver, Lydia Dennis and Olivia Haefner also found themselves on the sidelines before the first game.

“You are used to having those players to rely on,” said Fichter, who played both midfielder and forward last fall and scored 34 goals and added 17 assists. “It’s tough when they aren’t there.”

Fichter chose Duquesne over Cleveland State and the University of Miami (Fla.).

“They have a good soccer program at Duquesne, plus it is a great academic school,” added Fichter.

The Dukes, who finished 6-9-2 overall last year, could use Fichter at several positions, including right midfielder and right back.

“She’s played as a center forward and scored a ton of goals for Mars, but she’s also played as a flank player for most of her club career (with Beadling),” replied Duquesne coach Al Alvine in an emailed interview. “That gives her the ability to fill a number of roles and needs within our program.

“I see her as someone who has the ability to come in and challenge for a starting spot,” he added.

When Paracca and Fichter were on the field together, they helped the Planets to three straight WPIAL Class AA titles (2010-12) and a state championship (2011).

“It was awesome,” said Fichter. “It was a great group of girls and we had an amazing run.”