The story began on May 4, 2024, during a club game with FC Delco. Giovanni DiAngelo ’27 went into a challenge and came out with a partially torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. “I was told I wouldn’t need surgery,” he explained, “but that I would be out for about 5-6 months and might miss my sophomore season.” He spent the summer in physical therapy, working toward recovery.

Near the end of his rehab, Gio began practicing again with the high school team. But in his very first session back, bad luck struck again. A tackle left him with what was thought to be an LCL strain in his left knee. “My knee felt completely normal after a couple weeks,” Gio said, but he later learned it was actually a meniscus tear–an injury that would set him back for another year.

Then on September 17, lightning struck the same place twice. Jogging on Shuttlesworth Field, Gio stepped in a divot, twisting his right knee. “At first, I wasn’t in pain,” he said. “My leg just went numb.” But the damage was done. A visit to CHOP confirmed the worst: a full ACL and meniscus tear in his right knee as well as a meniscus tear in his left. “My heart sank when I got the MRI results. My confidence was at an all-time low. I felt defeated.”

Two surgeries followed: on November 13, 2024, to reconstruct his right ACL, and then a minor procedure on March 28, 2025, to repair his left meniscus. From there, it was a grind of physical therapy twice a week and extra workouts at home. Slowly, the long road to recovery started to pay off.

Now, Gio says he’s about six weeks away from game action. “At this point I’m close to being able to play again with a healthy ACL. But the recovery doesn’t stop there. I’ll keep strengthening my knees to make sure I come back stronger than ever.”

Teammates are eager to finally see him suit up again. Senior Michael Goff said, “I’ve never seen Gio play, but I am ecstatic. I’ve heard the rumors about his talents and I could not be more excited to see him on the pitch.

Those stories include the game-winning goal against GA in his freshman year, still echoing throughout the Inter-Ac. Fans and teammates alike hope that wasn’t the peak, but just the start.

Through it all, Gio has kept perspective. “Not only did I face a time of pain, but a time of sorrow,” he admitted. “But I realized I just had to deal with it and do what needed to be done. Now I feel more fired up than I’ve ever been in my life. We’re hungry.”

Finally, Gio thanked “everyone who’s been helping me throughout my journey, and you know, the journey doesn’t stop here, it’s just begun.”

For the Hillers, his return is more than a boost of talent. It’s a symbol of resilience, and a reminder to never give up. W Gio has returned.