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It was supposed to be just another league game for the 98 stingrays of the Ahwatukee soccer club on December 19th...then tragedy struck.

Head Coach Bruce Hough said, "Mackenzie and another player became entangled, both of them went down on the field, both of them got back up and played. A couple hours after that I got a text from her dad that they were at the hospital because of the pain in her legs. I received another text that advised me at that time that Mackenzie couldn't walk."

Mackenzie was diagnosed with a spinal contusion, resulting in the loss of sensation to her lower legs.

"I've been a coach for 31 years and i've never seen an injury or had an injury to a player like that. It was pretty devastating for Mackenzie's family, myself and the team," Hough said.

But the 6th grader wasn't fazed by her injury, she had her team to support her.

Emily Kovacs, Mackenzie's teammate said, "She is the most brightest person in the world, she's so positive...the best person to be around."

"About the injury, she stayed really positive," said Grace Blair, another of Mackenzie's teammates.

The stingrays have rallied around Mackenzie, making sure she's still apart of the team...every step of the way in her recovery.

For more information to help with Mackenzie's cause, please visit gomack.org