RETURN TO FORM PARACLETE PLACES HOPE IN PLAYER'S COMEBACK.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Caitlin McRae didn't know if she would play organized soccer again after suffering a knee injury competing for her club team last spring.

But six months after undergoing reconstructive surgery to repair a torn ACL and torn meniscus, McRae has returned to finish her senior year on the Paraclete High girls' soccer team.

Her return - ahead of schedule by most estimates - has inspired teammates and become a positive for a struggling team.

A fourth-year starting midfielder, McRae was a first-team All-Alpha League selection during her first two years at Paraclete. Going into an Olympic League game against L.A. Baptist of North Hills on Tuesday, injury-depleted Paraclete was 6-11-2, 0-4-2.

McRae suffered the injury in April playing defense.

``It didn't seem like I was doing anything different,'' she said. ``I just turned really fast and I felt a pop and a couple of cracks. That was it.

``It was the grossest sound I've ever heard.''

She underwent surgery in June, and began rehabilitation weeks later.

Although she received medical clearance, McRae is not expected to fully recover from the injury until June. She said it sometimes is extremely painful. But despite the pain, and her team's struggles, McRae is thrilled to be back.

``I'm so happy that I'm back playing soccer again,'' said McRae, who has played competitively since she was 7.

``I didn't realize how much a part of my life soccer was until I hurt my knee,'' she said. ``I was so devastated.''

But as big a part of her life as soccer is, it's never come at the expense of her schoolwork. A student with a 4.0 GPA, McRae is involved in Paraclete's academic club and is a member of the National Honors Society, the French Honors Society and the California Scholarship Federation.

``She's dedicated to everything she does, that's just how she is,'' Paraclete coach Linda Kudrik said.

Her dedication has helped make the team more competitive, even if it hasn't yet translated into victories. Paraclete tied its two most recent league opponents - Crossroads of Santa Monica and Brentwood. In its previous game, McRae scored the team's only goal in a 3-1 loss to Valley Christian of Cerritos.

To hear teammates tell it, just her presence on the field is inspiring.

``You see her playing with that big knee brace and it just makes you want to help her out,'' senior forward Alyssa Lopiccolo said. ``It's like an inspiration to play better and play harder during the game.''

Senior midfielder/sweeper Shaunna Drivdahl said: ``She's shown that she can overcome a lot. It was a pretty serious injury and for her to just have surgery months ago, it's amazing that she's able to come back and play again.''

Gideon Rubin [phone]

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Caitlin McRae, a senior at Paraclete High School, returns to the field after having reconstructive surgery.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer