When the BYU women's soccer team traveled to St. George last spring for an exhibition with Utah Tech, star forward Ellie Walbruch was in the best playing shape of her life.
Then, suddenly, an injury changed everything.
"I can't believe this is happening," she remembered thinking at the time. "This can't be real."
In 2023, Walbruch made the decision to transfer to BYU from UCLA after her freshman season. Her impact on the Cougars was immediate, scoring 11 goals and picking up four assists on a legendary BYU team that made the College Cup.
With the majority of BYU's starters graduating after the season, Walbruch was perfectly positioned to step up in a big way, cementing herself as a leading upperclassman, and being named the team captain for 2024.
"I was on a complete high coming off the College Cup in December," Walbruch said. "I was fit, fast, strong, I was playing some really good soccer."
But it was in that spring exhibition game where Walbruch's dominating level of play was put on pause.
"I took a good first touch and dribbled with speed in the center of the field," she recalled. "I saw a defender coming on my back so I kind of took a step to shield her, and right when I took that step I hear the infamous 'POP'."
Walbruch tore her ACL.
One minute you are one of the best athletes on one of the best teams in the country. The next minute you cannot bend your knee.
"I've never even sprained my ankle," Walbruch said. "This is literally my first-ever injury."
Recovering from an ACL tear and surgery takes at least six to eight months, and for Walbruch, that meant sitting out her junior year.
"I was really down. I was asking God, 'Why did this happen to me?'" Walbruch said.
The first few days were the hardest for Walbruch, but she soon realized that she needed to get up and work towards recovery.
Walbruch is currently six-and-a-half months post-operation and the rehab process has been long and tedious.
The first six weeks after the surgery, Walbruch could only focus on mobility. No running, no passing, no sliding. Just small movements with a big brace and crutches.
At eight weeks, she could finally do hamstring exercises.
At 11 weeks she could run on an anti gravity treadmill, which led to running on a normal track at week 12.
From that point, it's a two-month running program. Recently she started working with a ball again and has been able to make more movements that she would make in an actual game.
At the eight- to nine-month mark she will be tested and if she has made enough progress, she will be able to scrimmage with the team.
But while she may not be able to suit up for the games, she still takes her role as captain very seriously. She travels with the team and can be seen on the sidelines supporting and coaching her teammates.
"Ellie is the light and energy and leader of our team," coach Jennifer Rockwood told BYU Sports Nation in April. "Ellie will still play a huge role for us, more as a coach. ... I think the will find ways to lead."
"I still go to every training," Walbruch said. "I'm there every day."
Walbruch hasn't taken this time on the sidelines for granted, either. She has been an integral part to the team and is picking up knowledge while she has a different point of view.
"My soccer I.Q. is gonna go up so much when I return," Walbruch said. "I'm gonna be able to read the game a lot better than I would have before my injury."
So while Walbruch may not have any stats in the box score this season, she is learning every day how to become a better player and what role soccer plays in her life.
"There always is a silver lining. I might not have seen it during that injury, but I know God has a plan for me," she said. "I'm only gonna be better for it."
Don't forget the name Ellie Walbruch.
This time next year she will lace up her boots, throw on a royal blue jersey and will remind everyone what she is capable of doing.