Giant comeback of a season
LA PLUME — Krista Strausser, a Keystone College junior and Danville graduate, just wanted to play lacrosse this spring.
It didn’t matter the number of games or minutes of action she was going to see. Her only concern was that she got to grab a lacrosse stick and play meaningful games for the first time in three years.
Strausser had her senior season at Danville end early because of an ACL tear in her right knee as she was on the cusp of setting the Ironmen’s new career goal record. She only then played in one game — taking one shot on goal —her freshman year for the Giants before she tore her left ACL.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, wiping out sports for thousands of athletes across the country — and making Strausser wait yet another year before she could play the sport she loves most.
“The injuries are obviously very frustrating,” Strausser said. “Then to be back and able to play, COVID hit and that made it even more frustrating. I was ready to get back on the field.”
The Giants managed to squeeze in three games in 2020 before having to shut down for the season. In return to action this year, they scheduled five games —by far the fewest since 2015, according to Keystone College’s website — and lost in the Colonial States Athletic Conference semifinals to Wilson College.
Despite the circumstances, Strausser found herself being far more thankful to have a chance to play again.
“I was sad about [the shortened season] because last year the season was taken away,” Strausser said. “I had the two ACL injuries and had three seasons taken from me. I was just grateful we got to have a season.
“Five games is better than none.”
Strausser took full advantage, putting in her strongest performance in the final week of the season.
In a matter of three days, Strausser had team highs for the year with 15 shots, 11 shots on goal and 10 goals.
Her 10 goals scored against Cedar Crest College is a new Keystone College record. She knew from the beginning she was in for a special day.
“Right when I stepped on the field, I felt I was going to have a great game,” Strausser said. “I went right out there, and when I scored my first goal, I thought, ‘Here we go, this is going to be a great game.’ I was just aiming to keep possession of the ball, and my teammates helped me out greatly.”
Since COVID-19 wiped out her sophomore campaign, Strausser has the option of coming back for a fifth year with the Giants. As of now, the sport and recreation management major is unsure if she’ll go that route.
Her goal of being a 100-goal scorer and 100-point player for Keystone might be enough to keep her around another year. She’ll enter her senior season with 22 goals and 23 points, all gained this season. She isn’t thinking that far ahead but is looking forward to her senior season in hopes her strong finish this year carries over.
The right-hander also wants to get better playing left-handed, saying, “If you can play with both hands, you can dominate on the field.”
Though she doesn’t know just yet when her playing days will come to an end, she does know she doesn’t want to get too far away from the game. Strausser looks to give back any way she can, helping both Keystone and Danville lacrosse programs. She also took some good away from the bad situation her ACLs put her in.
“It’s made me a better leader and better person in general,” she said. “I one day want to be a coach, and I think [the injuries] will 100% make me a better coach. … Now that I know more about injuries and rehab, I’m more mindful of it and can make other players more mindful.”
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