Adversity hit Libertyville freshman Danica Meller’s high school soccer career before it even started.
Late last summer, Meller suffered a serious lower-back injury, which sidelined her for 10 weeks. A high-level player with tremendous upside, she was suddenly nervous about her future.
“This year has probably been my hardest year ever,” Meller said. “I struggled with my back injury. I was out my whole fall season with an L4 fracture, so high school was basically my debut to myself, saying I can come back as a new player.
“I wondered if I would ever be where I was before. High school was my turning-it-back-on for me. I even wondered if I was good enough.”
But Meller has established herself as a key cog for the Wildcats, who won the North Suburban Conference and Class 3A Fremd Sectional titles before losing 3-1 to host Barrington in a supersectional on Tuesday.
Junior forward Natalie Schmidt scored for Libertyville (18-2-3), delivering a shot from the right side to the opposite post with one second left in the first half. But the Fillies (19-1-2) went into halftime with a 2-1 lead and didn’t look back.
Meller missed a chance at a one-on-one against Barrington’s goalkeeper with just over 10 minutes left in the game when she was tripped up by a defender.
“I was so pumped and nervous about playing on the varsity, but it has been the best season,” Meller said. “The 10 seniors are the best and really helped me and welcomed me as a player. They watched me grow and helped me develop.
“It was a tough game. We had a lot of chances, but we struggled a bit with their blazing speed up front. At the end, I’m devastated to lose, but I still have three seasons and am excited for that. This season has taught me a lot.”
Libertyville first-year coach Ian Taylor said Meller played her way into the senior-heavy lineup.
“She had to earn her time and her place,” Taylor said. “She was playing 70 to 80 minutes toward the end of the year and contributing a lot, so she definitely showed her worth. She worked really hard all year.”
Meller finished with 18 goals, which ranks second on the team, and five assists.
“She has a bright future ahead of her,” Taylor said. “She had a great year. We’re looking forward to next year.”
Libertyville freshman Ellie McLaughlin said she has played soccer with Meller for more than 10 years. McLaughlin said she enjoys seeing Meller shine for the Wildcats.
“Danica doesn’t only think with her mind, but emotionally and physically, she devotes herself to the sport and is so committed and driven,” McLaughlin said. “I’ve watched her succeed and continue to make herself known and grow in the sport. She’s been doing a great job since day one and has so much coming for her in soccer.”
Meller said her parents, who have backgrounds in basketball, have become soccer fans.
“I ran track last year, but I’m fully soccer right now,” she said. “My parents have learned the game through me and guided me through this. My brother, Xavier, is younger than me by almost four years, but he also plays at a high level for the Chicago Fire Academy. It’s kind of our soccer family, but I don’t know how it became like that.”
Maybe Meller shouldn’t be surprised.
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
