Cookeville Cavalier girls soccer player Bella Arfsten begins her second season almost fully recovered from a hip injury.
Arfsten has spent her varsity years playing soccer. Arfsten sustained her hip injury before her sophomore season, causing her to miss the whole year. Arfsten returned her junior year, but the Cavaliers missed the playoffs with a 6-8-1 record. Arfsten said she took many steps during her road to recovery.
“I did [personal training] and I had to relearn how to walk and I was pretty weak,” Arfsten said. “So I did a lot of [personal training] that way to grow and get stronger.”
Arfsten said as she returned to the pitch her junior year, she worked to improve her passing and communication with her teammates. Arfsten plays midfield and outside defensive back for the Lady Cavaliers. Arfsten said she looks to push herself and the team in more ways this season.
“I want to see myself work harder and play tougher overall to help our team look more intimidating, and a stronger team,” Arfsten said. “I’m gonna try to work best, work hard, and help the team overall, and hopefully get a win out of it.”
Arfsten said she put in the work this offseason to make sure her senior season goes well.
“I do cross-fit two to three times a week so that helps me a lot,” Arfsten said. “And then I try to run on my off days and then [I] do conditioning here.”
Arfsten enters her senior year alongside nine others who will graduate with her. Cookeville opened with a win on the road against Livingston Tuesday.
