ELMHURST – Soccer has played such a big role in Alyssa Kovatchis’ life for so many years that it seems surprising she would give up an opportunity to keep playing competitively.

But that’s exactly what the recent York graduate did.

Kovatchis had committed to Colorado State at the beginning of her junior year, accepting a scholarship offer to play Division I soccer. About four months ago, she changed her mind.

“I decided it was going to be too much so I decided I just wanted to focus on school,” Kovatchis said.

The tough decision meant this spring with York’s varsity team could end up being her last season of soccer. If it was indeed her final hurrah, she went out with a bang. Kovatchis earned all-state honors this season and is the Suburban Life All-Area MVP.

Kovatchis’ skill as a midfielder is apparent very quickly. She is able to beat defenders one on one regularly and is also an adept goal scorer.

Those skills come from years of playing at a high level. She and twin sister Jamie Kovatchis started playing AYSO when they were three years old. They later joined Team Elmhurst to play travel ball together. At that point Alyssa started playing three-on-three tournaments with players from the Naperville Soccer Association Jaguars club.

That’s where Alyssa learned her ball skills. She played as the sweeper and her teammates played as wingers.

“I was the last line of defense so I had to get my foot skills going,” Kovatchis said. “I learned some new moves.”

Both Kovatchis sisters made York’s varsity team as freshmen. Alyssa was the dynamic playmaker while Jamie was the rock-solid defender.

The twins played on every team together growing up until this year. Jamie decided she wasn’t going to play in college so she didn’t play club and she tore her ACL in a playoff game with the York girls basketball team this winter. That meant the sisters wouldn’t be able to play together this spring for the Dukes on the soccer field.

“It’s kind of sad not to be able to play together our last year,” Alyssa Kovatchis said.

Jamie Kovatchis’ injury wasn’t the only one York had to deal with this season. At one point seven starters were out at the same time. The Dukes still won a regional and nearly upset Hinsdale Central in a sectional semifinal with Alyssa giving York a 2-0 lead before the Red Devils came back.

“Alyssa is Alyssa, she amazes me every time,” York coach Don Vana said. “Anytime there’s a big goal needed, Alyssa seems to be the one that gets it for us. She’s a high-quality player. We’re definitely going to miss her and the creative goals she has scored in her career here.”

With high school behind her, Alyssa is preparing for life after soccer. Without an athletic scholarship she is working two jobs this summer and wants to be an elementary school teacher. She is headed to the University of Illinois, but is keeping the window open for a possible return with the idea of playing club soccer after adjusting to life as a college freshman.

She may feel sad about soccer being behind her, but she is excited about her teaching future.

“I really like little kids,” Kovatchis said. “We also did some things on my soccer team with little kids and I really felt the connection to them. My senior year of high school I decided to take a child development class and I taught preschoolers and I loved it. I think they’re adorable.”