It’s the End of an Era as Teresa (Rynier) Rook Hangs up Her Cleats
Teresa Rook is a local legend, and the second women’s professional soccer player to come out of Lancaster County. She is also a coach and Youth Club Director for Lancaster Inferno’s youth travel program.
As a talented young player, she started racking up the honors when she was in high school — and when her last name was “Rynier”. She has earned so many honors through her career that we have to just touch on the highlights.
Inducted into the Conestoga Valley High School hall of fame in 2014, Teresa held records at CV for the most career goals at 63, career assists at 56, and season assists at 18.
Other honors include earning NSCAA All American during her senior year and All-Region the other 3 years. All four years of her high school career, she earned All-State, All Lancaster-Lebanon League, and League Section MVP.
Moving on to play for Dave Lombardo at JMU, Teresa earned numerous accolades, including setting the program’s assist record with 53 assists (a record which she still holds). That record was also a conference and state record. In addition, she racked up 20 goals and was named to the All-American team.
A four-year-starter at JMU, she was inducted into the school’s Hall of fame in 2020. Her senior year Teresa was drafted by the Philadelphia Independence. She went on to play for the Ottawa Fury, and later signed professional contracts in Sweden and Iceland.
Teresa contributed her talent and leadership to the club since she joined the very first Lancaster Inferno team in 2008. She was recognized every year she played with Inferno, earning league honors and helping lead the team to 3 National Championship appearances.
Now the wife of Brandon Rook and mother of a beautiful 3 year old daughter (and future Lancaster Inferno star), Rya, Teresa is hanging up her cleats. In recognition of the incredible talent that she shared with us, Lancaster Inferno officially retired the jersey that she played with throughout her career with our club, at our 2025 Home Opener on June 2nd.
During the presentation, Teresa’s parents, Craig and Joy Rynier, were also recipients of Jersey #25 in recognition of their sacrifice and support through the years. They encouraged Teresa and gave her the opportunity to become the extraordinary person and player that she is, and also found the energy to volunteer and show support to Inferno.
Jersey #25 is officially retired. Number 25 will always be known as the jersey that Teresa Rynier Rook wore. Your presence on the pitch will be missed. It’s the end of an era for Lancaster Inferno.
