Naperville North junior forward Brooke Welch’s high school career was interrupted shortly after it began.

When she was a freshman, Welch suffered a torn ACL just five minutes into the season opener against Barrington. Two other freshmen, Michelle Ruan and Claire DeCook , suffered the same season-ending injuries that year.

All three returned the following season, when Welch switched from defender to forward and endeared herself to teammates and coaches.

“Brooke is such a special player,” Naperville North senior defender Emily Buescher said. “When she comes onto the field, you know that she’s going to do exactly what she’s asked and she’s going to be exactly where we need her to be.”

That was the case again during the Class 3A state semifinals at North Central College in Naperville on

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