By Sherli Lam Citizen Staff (posted with permission from Prince George Citizen) Sarah Gomes in action from October 2010 (Andrew Snucins photo) It's been a hazy seven months for Sarah Gomes. The graduate of Duchess Park secondary school benched her athletic and academic career at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops after suffering a concussion in an exhibition soccer game last autumn. Sarah Gomes (Andrew Snucins photo) "One of the girls [from the University of Fraser Valley in Abbotsford] slide-tackled me, taking out my legs and I went head over heals hitting my head on the ground," said Gomes. "Right from the get-go something wasn't right. The headaches started right away and I got diagnosed." Despite missing her entire sophomore season - since the injury happened in an exhibition game the standout rookie defender from 2010-11 didn't lose a year of college eligibility at the PACWEST school - Gomes was honoured Saturday night at the ninth induction ceremony for the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame as an outstanding youth athlete. Gomes said she's determined not to make the same mistake NHL hockey player Sidney Crosby made in returning from her head injury too soon. "I haven't played soccer since that day - Sept. 3," said the TRU WolfPack defender.  "At the beginning, the headaches were persistent and difficult to tolerate. It was hard to focus in school and the words on the projector were kind of blurry. "Also, my speech was a bit messed up," added the 19-year-old. "I'd have some difficulties talking and with memory as well. I'd be having a conversation with somebody, say two words, and I'd have to stop and say, 'What were we talking about?'" Sarah helping at World Family Literacy Day Not wanting to see her grade-point average slip due to her lack of concentration, Gomes decided to drop her semester and returned to Prince George to recuperate. She returned to TRU in January but is starting slow by taking two classes while working with an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist. "I don't want to have to be like Sidney Crosby, where he goes back too soon and it reoccurs and he's going to be out for longer," said Gomes, referring to the Pittsburgh Penguins' player's brief comeback in November after being off since the first week of January 2011. "I took the precautions early enough so that, hopefully, I can get back on my feet faster. Sarah Gomes and teammates pose at World Family Literacy Day 2012 "It's better but I'm still not 100 per cent," she said about the effects of her first concussion. " I know how I feel. They do say it takes about a year to be fully at your normal self. "Every day I do a little bit more, a little progression - a little bit on the bike and then do some upper body strengthening," said Gomes. "Two weeks ago I was able to do short runs. I'm already at that stage where you can see the progression. It's just little baby steps to increase my tolerance a little bit and a little bit more." WolfPack with PACWEST Banner Gomes said she wants to prepare herself for the Wolfpack training camp in August so she can help her soccer teammates defend their PACWEST championship on the field instead of having to cheer for them from afar. "I was a little bit jealous," said Gomes, who was named as a first-team all-star in her rookie season in the former B.C. Colleges Athletic Association. "Every time I see a soccer ball I'm so tempted and teased." Elite class Sarah Gomes doing Operation Christmas Child in 2011 Gomes said she was surprised the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame recognized her achievements and dedication for soccer to honour her as a top youth athlete, but she was thrilled to share the spotlight with fellow DPSS graduate, and TRU volleyball player, Colin Carson and DPSS Grade 12 student, and biathlete, Sarah Beaudry. Colin Carson (Brian Calkins photo) "I've always interacted with them. Me and Colin, we carpooled down to TRU together," said Gomes. "I'm glad we can represent Duchess Park together." Other youth athletes recognized in 2012 were: diver Ashley Anderson, track and field/cross-country runner Emma Balazs, hockey player Brett Bulmer, taekwon-do's Brian Clyne, UBC Thunderbirds running back Brandon Deschamps, swimmer Danica Ludlow, volleyball player Erika Morris, motocross bike rider Jesse Pettis, and five-pin bowler Jeff Strong. Bulmer recently ended his WHL season when the Kelowna Rockets were swept from the playoffs by the Portland Winterhawks and missed Saturday's dinner, as the Minnesota Wild's prospect was on his way to join the AHL's Houston Aeros to try and help them earn a playoff position. Ludlow was in Montreal at the 2012 Canadian Swimming Olympic Trials, while Deschamps, Pettis and Strong were also absent.