鈥業鈥檓 more than a soccer player鈥: STM's Hoffman finds strength through ACL rehab
It was like a widespread contagion, St. Thomas More girls and Black Hills Rapids forward Faith Hoffman observed. Club teammates, school teammates, classmates 鈥 seemingly everyone was tearing their ACL. Even though it was nearby, it never felt truly plausible until that day on an Arizona pitch with the Black Hills Rapids in January: Nestled in the opponent鈥檚 box, knotted with a defender, turning to plant to secure a pass 鈥 then her knee cracked five times in a row and buckled.
鈥淣o, please!鈥 she yelled amid tears.
Shortly after, Hoffman had ACL surgery that ended her club and upcoming school season. Without her lifelong passion, she confronted her self-worth and identity without soccer.
鈥淗aving it temporarily taken away really did hurt,鈥 Hoffman said.
Sophomore Faith Hoffman scored a team-leading 13 goals in 2025 for St. Thomas More.
But over the past several months, she鈥檚 strengthened her relationship with God, made new friendships and uncovered purpose beyond the pitch. Now, as the Cavaliers鈥 2026 girls soccer season begins on Friday, Aug. 14 at Vermilion, Hoffman hopes to maintain the positive changes. While she can鈥檛 control the past, she can control how she navigates her future. Even if it all feels unexpected.
鈥淚 never actually thought it could happen to me,鈥 she said.
One year earlier, Hoffman helped send the Cavaliers to the Class A semifinals after scoring two goals against Garretson in the quarterfinal. It gave her 13 goals on the year 鈥 easily a team-high 鈥 and powered the Cavaliers to their ninth win, the most since 2017.
Considering she did that as a sophomore, imagine what she鈥檇 be able to accomplish as a junior? Especially the excitement of playing alongside close-knit teammates and head coach Cassidy Stalley, Hoffman鈥檚 first cousin who cradled her as a toddler.
鈥淚 was really looking forward to another season with her and to grow even more with them,鈥 Hoffman said of Stalley and her teammates.聽聽
Faith Hoffman of St. Thomas More scores a goal against Garretson in a Class A state quarterfinal game on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 in Rapid City.
But Hoffman has endured her own season of growth, and she'll be forced to lean into the resolve that's been building since her knee went聽肠谤补肠办鈥揷谤补肠办-肠谤补肠办-肠谤补肠办-肠谤补肠办听on a field in Mesa, Ariz.聽
鈥淭he first four months were really hard,鈥 Hoffman said.
Immediately following her surgery in March, Hoffman said, "I was in a lot of pain, and they had me on a lot of pain medications, and it was really hard to sleep for the first like three or four days."
Then there was the shaken confidence 鈥 would she be the same athlete? Could she still play at the next level?
Hoffman had just begun the recruiting process 鈥 making a highlight tape, attending showcases and thinking about her future 鈥 when she got hurt.
But perhaps the most difficult aspect was experiencing life without soccer. Until her knee went 肠谤补肠办鈥揷谤补肠办-肠谤补肠办-肠谤补肠办-肠谤补肠办 in the desert winter, she鈥檇 never realized how soccer was the sun her life orbited around.
St. Thomas More sophomore Faith Hoffman, right, celebrates with fellow sophomore Caydence Lester after scoring a goal against Rapid City Stevens on Sep. 18, 2025 at Sioux Park Stadium.
There was community; her closest, lifelong friends all played soccer. It was a non-stop affair, so the sport even played a crucial role in her family dynamics; like her close relationship with Stalley and her second cousins, who also played soccer. There was the practical reality that the sport gave her boundless joy 鈥 the ear-to-ear smile after goals and laughs with teammates after wins.
But without the blur of practice, training sessions and games, she had a new abundance of time to 鈥渙verfixiate鈥 on her new reality and the swirling angst.
鈥淚t was really sad, seeing all my friends playing the sport that I've played my whole life and that I love,鈥 Hoffman said, 鈥渁nd I can't be out there with them.鈥
Considering she wouldn鈥檛 return for nearly a year, maybe longer, she had to find something 鈥 anything 鈥 in addition to fill the time outside of physical therapy.
She鈥檇 always been religious, but decided to take her faith more seriously. So, she began attending Adoration on Friday mornings, bleary-eyed at 6 a.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. She prayed about family, friends and her knee in front of the monstrance holding the Eucharist, letting the silence wash over.
鈥淚 just sit and talk with God for a while,鈥 she said.
It provided relief amid the uncertainty. But she also had time to fill, so she began working at Panera. She didn鈥檛 know anyone who worked there and harbored fears about whether she鈥檇 be welcomed or enjoy working in food.
St. Thomas More freshman Faith Hoffman (1) and Rapid City Central defender Emma Hargens (25) dash for a ball in 2024 at Sioux Park Stadium.
But then came Lily, who鈥檇 recently moved from Florida to Rapid City, and after training her on drive-through, Hoffman quickly formed a strong friendship with her. Hoffman said she opened up to Lily about her knee, and Lily has since looked out for her; helping Hoffman with boxes or various tasks if she鈥檚 physically unable to complete them.
鈥淓ver since that first shift we worked together, we've been best friends,鈥 Hoffman said. 鈥淲e hang out almost every day outside of work after work.鈥
Throughout the preseason, while she can鈥檛 play, Hoffman鈥檚 regularly attended practices. Stalley observed the pride she鈥檚 taking in mentoring freshman Holly Solano and sophomore Caydence Lester.
"Hey, open your body to the field" or "Head up, look for that pass," are just a few of the lines Stalley regularly hears.聽
"It's definitely going to be hard to be sitting on the bench all season, but I get to support my teammates the best I can, so I'm excited for that," Hoffman said.
When she watches the Cavaliers鈥 second game against Garretson 鈥 who she scored against in the 2025 quarterfinals 鈥 from the sidelines on Saturday, Aug. 15, she might reflect 鈥 just for a second 鈥 on all that鈥檚 changed.
But if she begins to dwell, she can think of Panera, her deepened faith, moments mentoring Solano, and realize everything is OK.
Yes, everything is OK.
鈥淚'm more than a soccer player,鈥 Hoffman said. 鈥淧eople have told me that before, but it really hit me when I got hurt.鈥
Contact Matt at mweiner@rapidcityjournal.com
Related
St. Thomas More girls soccer v. Garretson in the quarterfinals.
