Benet senior midfielder Judd Isom’s parents never allowed him to play football. They were concerned about the injury risk, he said.

So Isom chose to focus on soccer. But a concussion ended his freshman season after four games, and two ACL tears in his left knee wiped out his sophomore and junior seasons.

So when Isom made his varsity debut as a substitute against Lyons on Sept. 4, it was cause for celebration. Three years had passed since he last played for the Redwings.

“It was great, especially the reception from the guys, both on the bench and on the field,” Isom said. “They really welcomed me back, and it wasn’t just in that game. It had been throughout summer and practice, and it really pushed me back to be on the field with them.”

Forward Mateo Picha is one of the seniors who was thrilled to see Isom play again.

“It was just such an awesome moment,” Picha said. “Freshman year, when we all got there, we just all clicked. We’re all friends.”

But they wondered whether Isom would ever return.

“When we heard about the injury, not only the first one but the second, it was so heartbreaking for all of us,” Picha said. “It was almost as if we got injured too.

“It was just so devastating. There was a lot of questions about whether he would play this year.”

Isom, who suffered his injuries during club soccer seasons, also had doubts. But he credits Dr. Aaron Bare, who performed both knee surgeries, for encouraging his comeback.

“He really wanted to see me back out there,” Isom said. “Even with him trying to get me back, I was still a little wishy-washy because if I tore it for a third time, that scratches competitive sports completely, even club sports in college.

“That was something I didn’t want to risk at all, so we decided to take the recovery really slow.”

Isom’s recovery from his first ACL surgery took six months. The second was 11 months, and he was cleared in July.

Third-year Benet coach Matt Klosterman had never seen Isom play until last month.

“I’m just so happy for him,” Klosterman said. “I was worried for him that he wouldn’t be able to catch up fast enough after so much time off. But he’s doing a great job.”

Benet’s Judd Isom (18) passes the ball during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game against Marion Catholic in Lisle on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Naperville Sun)

Isom has played in four games for the Redwings (5-3) and has exceeded all expectations.

“He’s so versatile,” Picha said. “After going through those injuries, it’s just so impressive how he can still play at such a high level.

“Honestly, the mental side is the most impressive part, how he can bounce back after going through those two big injuries and still play at such a good level.”

Isom had been out so long he had almost forgotten what it felt like to play. But he wasn’t a stranger to his teammates. He was a team manager during his sophomore year and did photography for the Redwings during his junior year, all while enduring the tough rehabilitation process.

“He’s one of the best managers I’ve ever had,” Klosterman said. “He was the most responsible. He would anticipate things and just get it done.

“A hundred little things that needed to get done, and he’s taken care of all of it. He was unbelievable. He’s exactly the kind of person who, if you’re in a business, you hope you hire somebody like Judd.”

Klosterman said everyone was crushed when Isom suffered the second injury. But he never once heard Isom complain during the rehab or during the preseason as Klosterman tried to figure out where to use him.

“We tried him everywhere,” Klosterman said. “But it seemed like midfield was the best fit for him.”

Before the injuries, Isom intended to try to play in college. That’s no longer the case, but he found a silver lining.

“A big thing it taught me was patience, obviously, because that was a three-year process,” he said. “It actually really helped me with my academics because it gave me some time to focus on school.”

Isom’s teammates are glad they finally have some time on the field with him.

“There’s nothing more that we want to do than play with him for our senior year,” Picha said. “I’m happy he is.”

So is Klosterman.

“When he goes in, everybody’s happy,” Klosterman said. “He’s pretty much always in a good mood.

“He’s the most resilient person. How can you not cheer for a guy like that?”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/23/soccer-benet-judd-isom/