Tanya Samarzich Tears ACL, Ruled Out for Remainder of 2017
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior forward Tanya Samarzich, the leading goal scorer and point-getter for the Kentucky women’s soccer team, will miss the rest of the 2017 season after suffering a torn ACL in Sunday’s match at No. 8 Florida State.
Samarzich will apply for a medical hardship year, and will look to be eligible for the 2018 season.
“We are obviously heartbroken for Tanya,” head coach Ian Carry said. “She had worked incredibly hard all season and was playing at her highest level since coming to Kentucky. I know that she will be motivated throughout the recovery process and our doctors and athletic training staff will take great care of her as we get her back to 100 percent. There is a bright future for Tanya, which not only includes more time playing here at Kentucky, but also in the professional ranks and for the Mexican National Team. I know this will just be a small road block for her.”
“It was disappointing for me to hear that I tore my ACL – and therefore ending my 2017 season,” Samarzich said. “I am going to work incredibly hard to make a full and speedy recovery. The medical staff here has been fantastic to me, and I know they will take great care of me during my rehab. I can’t wait to be back out on the field with the girls soon.”
A member of the full Mexican national team, Samarzich tore her left ACL while going in for a defensive tackle in a non-contact injury. The typical recovery time for a full return to competition for this injury is six to eight months. Surgery will be performed in the near future by the UK HealthCare team and then the rehab process will immediately get underway with the UK athletic training staff.
Samarzich is still the leading goal scorer for Kentucky, having scored three times inside the first six games of the season. In her three-year UK career, she has scored 13 times with eight assists for a total of 34 points.
Kentucky’s next match will be Friday night at 5 p.m. ET versus Western Illinois.
For the latest on the Kentucky women’s soccer team, follow @UKWomensSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.
