“I have no idea what triggered it. I’ve been playing football for so many years and it never happened,” she said. “(Now I’ve learned) that my heart beats prematurely and sometimes skips a few beats.”
Dorn was worried another season would be cut short after his junior season was canceled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was also worried about college football, whether it was super bad or not, and how it would affect college,” she said.
Carefully working his way through while making sure to maintain his electrolytes with drinks and nutrition bars, Dorn took to the field again at home against Quincy eight days later. She scored UT’s only goal in a 3-1 loss in their opener after being out twice.
The long sprints always made her heart feel “heavy”, but she said she was thrilled to be back on the court.
“It’s a different kind of shortness of breath,” she said of her symptoms. “It’s not like my lungs are burning or my muscles are hurting; I can feel it in my heart that he’s not doing his job.
She’s more aware now of when and when not to make big runs and when to let a teammate take the lead, but she’s on the right track.
Monday’s victory moves the eighth-seeded Panthers (3-8-1) into the tournament, led by one of their inspirational leaders. UT hits the road to face top-seeded Normal Community (19-1-1) Wednesday at 6 p.m.
