Girls soccer teams support Hampton’s Lucy Interthal with a special message

The Mars Area High School girls soccer team had a special message Sept. 26 for its competitors, the Hampton girls soccer team: Hampton’s Lucy Interthal is loved by all who know her.

The Mars girls wore the wristbands emblazoned with “22,” Interthal’s number, to show their support for the Hampton senior sidelined with an autoimmune disorder.

“We’ve known and played with Lucy since we were little kids,” said Piper Coffield, senior captain of the Mars soccer team. “Lucy is one of the strongest people I know and has always shown such kindness toward everyone on the field and off, so the wristbands were just a small way to show her that we’re with her.”

Given Interthal’s long history of playing soccer in the region, she has picked up many friends and supporters, including players from the Mars team, said Blair Gerlach, Mars girls soccer head coach.

“Lucy is a true competitor and a great person,” Gerlach said. “She is a great teammate and is loved by all that know her. I can’t wait to see her back at it soon!”

Mars senior captain Gwen Howell, who along with other players planned to wear the “22” wristbands, said showing their support was the least they could do.

“It reminds us to never take anything for granted and enjoy every second because you would never expect what Lucy is going through to happen to anyone,” Howell said. “She inspires us all so much.”

Interthal, 17, was a three-year letterman coming into this season. She is expected to recover by next year’s soccer season.

“It meant everything to me, especially because I grew up playing soccer with all of them,” she said. “So seeing that even though we’re on different teams now that there will always be those friendships was really special.”

Hampton players continue to show their support in numerous ways, including posting signs on her lawn.

“It’s been hard on us. We’re a close team, and nobody wants to see anyone sick or battling anything,” said Bill Paholich, head coach for Hampton High School’s girls soccer team. “Lucy is top-notch. She has the right mentality. She knows she’s going to get through it.”

Interthal’s autoimmune disorder started of the blue in May, according to her father, Dave.

“She was a healthy, normal high school kid,” he said.

The disorder has affected the soccer player’s ability to live a “normal teenage life,” he said. But she is still with the Hampton team attending games.

While not on the field, Interthal is still present to be a good teammate to her younger sister, Molly, who is a varsity starter playing in her sister’s position.

Dave Interthal said the Hampton soccer team has been incredibly supportive and makes sure his daughter is comfortable at games.

“It rained the other day, and they set up a tent around her. The families in Hampton have been amazing, and we haven’t had to ask — they just keep doing,” he said.

Interthal is attending high school events in a wheelchair, according to her father.

“She is a stud,” he said. “She is unwavering.”

A visit last week to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, for a confirmation diagnosis and a revised treatment plan was positive and productive, Dave Interthal said.

In four weeks, Interthal will gain greater control of fine motor skills and has a “good chance to return to soccer in the spring and a 100% chance she will be good to go at Gettysburg College in the fall of 2023,” he said.

In the meantime, the Interthals are promoting a blood drive to raise awareness and help others.

The Hampton High School and Community Blood Drive will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the high school auxiliary gym, 2929 McCully Road, in Hampton. Appointments are recommended. Hampton High School students can contact Kirsten Nelson, the school nurse. The public can visit the website vitalant.org, click “donate” and enter the group code HS010029 or call Nelson at 412-492-6384.