Glidewell leaves Rider soccer with no regrets

With the Lady Raider soccer senior night approaching, injured senior Aubrey Glidewell is getting to take the field one last time. 

When Friday’s game against Saginaw kicks off, Glidewell will be starting at forward. Then, she will be quickly subbed out because she is not fully recovered from her second ACL injury. 

“It is a great opportunity I get to have, to get to step on the field one last time with the girls,” Glidewell said. 

Glidewell tore her ACL for a second time during the first scrimmage of this season.

“I actually thought I broke my tibia, but I ended up tearing ligaments,” Glidewell said. 

Although Glidewell has been unable to play this season, she still has been cheering along the sideline. 

“I got to see how my teammates play together and like how they work off of each other, and their love for the sport really,” Glidewell said. “Still being a part of the team was a big factor, I got to see a different perspective of the field and learn the sport a little better.” 

Rider coach Carl Wiersema feels Glidewell is an inspiration to her teammates because she has not given up. 

“She is a hard worker, she has a heart for her team, she has shown great leadership as a captain for us,” Wiersema said. 

Gildewell set a school record as a sophomore with 36 goals. She was close to breaking that record last year when she tore her ACL in a district game against Aledo. 

While the Rider girls soccer team is undefeated in district, Wiersema said Glidewell has been missed on the field. 

“It’s definitely been a big loss. She scored over 30 goals the last two seasons, and that’s 30 we had to make up with other people,” Wiersema said. “We’re doing fine, but man I can’t imagine what it’d be like with those other 30 goals.” 

Glidewell said she is supposed to be cleared to start practicing again in late June or early July. Despite the injuries, she still wants to continue playing the sport and plans to extend her soccer career at Midwestern State. 

“I plan on going to nursing school,” Glidewell said. “I would like to get my RN and go back to get my search tech.” 

One person who Glidewell said has motivated her is athletic trainer Dr. Christanie Monreal. 

“She has pushed me to be stronger, keep my head up,” Glidewell said. “She has pushed me to want to continue to play down the road.” 

Even though she has faced both ups and downs throughout her soccer career, Glidewell said she will be leaving Rider with no regrets. 

“It has been a great experience,” she said.