Deerfield’s Ava Peiser didn’t want to be a defender like her twin sister Vivienne and her old sister Sophia.
Peiser picked goalkeeper instead.
“I mainly decided to play goalie because I didn’t want to run,” she said. “I always hated running.”
Peiser said the position also fits her personality.
“I think to be a goalie, you have to be pretty brave and unique,” she said. “I’m unique.”
ACL tears are all too common, however, and Peiser’s first season as the Warriors’ starting goalkeeper was cut short last April after she suffered the injury in her right knee on a noncontact play in the 11th game. She said she was sidelined for 10 months.
“I knew how daunting it would be to go through rehab,” she said. “The injury made me stronger mentally, and I became more grateful for the opportunity to step back on the field.”
Peiser has emerged better than ever in her junior season. She has a 1.09 goals-against average with three shutouts for the Warriors (16-4-1), who earned the No. 2 seed in the Class 2A Lake Zurich Sectional.
“I definitely got a lot stronger and learned different methods of gaining strength,” she said.
Peiser has impressed Deerfield coach Rich Grady.
“She a good shot stopper,” Grady said. “One of the things she has done better this year is on her explosive dives, she’s catching the ball and holding on after dives. She’s not giving up rebounds. I think she’s also done a really good job of dealing with balls on penalty kicks, corners and free kicks.”
That includes shootouts.
“She has been in two shootouts this year, and we were fortunate to win both,” Grady said. “She was a big reason why.”
Peiser, who made 10 saves during Deerfield’s 1-0 win over Maine South on May 5, likes the action.
“It’s an adrenaline rush making saves,” she said.
That kind of play around the net makes Peiser a leader, according to Deerfield junior defender Talia Joseph.
“Ava leads by example in the back,” Joseph said. “Her willingness to put her body on the line is contagious and allows the whole back line to have trust in what’s behind us.
“She is fearless when diving and putting in tackles. She deals with high-pressure situations extremely effectively and is able to compartmentalize when things go wrong.”
Deerfield junior defender Addy Margulis agreed with Joseph.
“Something that makes Ava such a talented goalie is her bravery,” Margulis said. “She is not afraid to come outside of her box in a 1v1 situation and compete for the ball.
“She is also a leader in the back with her communication skills. Specifically on corners and free kicks, she will make sure we are aware of our players and have the posts covered. She also makes sure that in games we are aware if a player is making a run.”
Peiser learned the value of connecting with teammates while she was sidelined with her injury.
“I showed up to practices and games and supported my teammates,” she said. “I think I learned my greatest support system is my team and friends. It’s super important to connect with your teammates.”
Peiser knows that connection has buoyed the Warriors this season.
“The team is on, and we’re clicking,” she said.
Peiser’s successful return from a serious knee injury is a significant reason.
“I didn’t give up,” she said.
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
