Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé will take a medical leave for the rest of the 2017 season, the Spirit announced Wednesday.   “It is with great difficulty that the Spirit and I have decided that I will take a medical leave of absence for the remainder of the season,” Labbé wrote in a statement shared on […]

Spirit goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé will take a medical leave for the rest of the 2017 season, the Spirit announced Wednesday.“It is with great difficulty that the Spirit and I have decided that I will take a medical leave of absence for the remainder of the season,” Labbé wrote in a statement shared on social media on Wednesday. “This decision was not an easy one, but after much deliberation we have concluded that this is what’s best for me at this time.” [Empty Body] Labbé started 17 games this season and earned two shutouts. She was named to the Team of the Month in May and June and earned the Week 11 Save of the Week. “Steph has been an important part of our team the past two seasons and has grown and developed as a player and person,” Spirit head coach and general manager Jim Gabarra said in the Spirit’s official release. “We have had discussions over the last couple of weeks and believe she needs some additional time away. We support and will continue to support Steph throughout this process.”