Hard Work Paying Off For Cowgirl Soccer's Chance

By Justin Arney, OSU Athletics Communications

Midway through the 2023 season, Oklahoma State has won eight of its 10 games and is among the highest-scoring teams in the nation.

A big reason for the scoring production is Cowgirl junior forward Hannah Chance, who has found the back of the net seven times to rank among the NCAA leaders in goals.

Chance's red-hot start is even more impressive considering it's been over three years since she has been able to put together a fully healthy season without injuries.

It all started her senior year at Broken Arrow High School.

"I actually blew out my whole knee… I tore my ACL, meniscus, MCL, dislocated my kneecap and tore a muscle in my calf," Chance said.

Not being able to play the remainder of her senior year or her first year here at OSU took a toll on her.

"Coming into college, being a freshman and not being able to play and show what I can do was frustrating… Coming back (from the injury) was really hard mentally, being able to build confidence back up," Chance said.

Chance made her collegiate debut in 2021 but played in only three games, and she missed the entire 2022 season still trying to overcome the lingering effects of her injuries.

The way Chance has fought back from the devastating injuries and the success she is finally enjoying once again on the field is an inspiration.

"It is something for me to look up to because (Chance) works so hard to get to where she's at, and that drives me to work hard as well," said OSU freshman Adelhia Ghonda said.

Although it is still early, the Cowgirls have their hopes set on making the NCAA Tournament this year for the first time in three years, and Chance's continued production throughout Big 12 Conference play will be a key factor if OSU is to make a run.

Chance is already proving what she can do when healthy, and earlier this season, she put her name in the OSU record books when she recorded a hat trick against Little Rock. The three-goal outing was just the 18^th in the 28-year history of the program, and Chance became only the 13^th different Cowgirl to achieve the feat.

"It was my first one in college – in high school and club I had a few hat tricks, but it's a lot more exciting happening here," Chance said.

For OSU head coach Colin Carmichael, watching Chance return healthy to the field and display the skills of the young star he recruited before the injury setbacks is a welcome sight.

"I'm happy obviously as a coach because she's helping our team win, but I'm more happy for Hannah as a person because she persevered – she dealt with the adversity and now she's getting the rewards," Carmichael said.

With a young and inexperienced team that entered the season without many proven scorers, Chance's emergence as a goal threat is a big reason for the Cowgirls' early success and something to keep an eye on as OSU gets into the thick of conference place.

"We will keep encouraging her to believe in herself and being confident, and hopefully she can continue that momentum throughout the season," Carmichael said.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Hannah Chance

Adelhia Ghonda

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