Despite injury, star supports team
Roya Ghorbani-Elizeh
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Sports
Michelle Enyeart's upcoming Friday night will be vastly different from her teammates. Her number 12 soccer jersey will be replaced with a hospital gown. A recovery room will substitute stadium lights and the wet pitch.
As the Pilots prepare to play Virginia Tech in their third round playoff game, teammate Enyeart will be in California, recovering from knee surgery.
Enyeart, a senior midfielder for the Pilots, has been a cornerstone for the women's soccer squad for the last four years. Her success can be seen from her presence on the Pilots this season with her six goals and six assists during conference play. Recently, Enyeart was named WCC Player of the Year for women's soccer.
During the game on Nov. 6, Enyeart received multiple injuries to her knee.
In the last five seconds of the first half against the University of San Diego, Enyeart collided with Toreros keeper Courtney Parsons.
"When I was on the ground I thought that maybe this pain will go away in a few minutes or after halftime," Enyeart said. "However, when I tried to take a step, my knee completely gave out and I knew something was very wrong."
Enyeart would later learn that she had torn her ACL, LCL, and chipped a bone the size of a fingernail in her knee.
"It will probably be around 10 to 12 months until I can play again," Enyeart said. "I will have a more accurate timeline after surgery."
Her surgery was held on Wednesday, Nov. 18 near her hometown in California.
Enyeart is currently fourth on both the University of Portland's career goals and assists charts by recording 48 goals and 40 assists as a Pilot. Enyeart's passion for the game has also led her to have a spot on the U-23 US National Team.
"Soccer is my life, it's what I do," Enyeart said. "Almost everything in my life thus far has been based around the sport."
Before the injury, Enyeart planned to enter the draft for the Women's Professional Soccer League, which was to be held in January.
As the Pilots prepare to play Virginia Tech in their third round playoff game, teammate Enyeart will be in California, recovering from knee surgery.
Enyeart, a senior midfielder for the Pilots, has been a cornerstone for the women's soccer squad for the last four years. Her success can be seen from her presence on the Pilots this season with her six goals and six assists during conference play. Recently, Enyeart was named WCC Player of the Year for women's soccer.
During the game on Nov. 6, Enyeart received multiple injuries to her knee.
In the last five seconds of the first half against the University of San Diego, Enyeart collided with Toreros keeper Courtney Parsons.
"When I was on the ground I thought that maybe this pain will go away in a few minutes or after halftime," Enyeart said. "However, when I tried to take a step, my knee completely gave out and I knew something was very wrong."
Enyeart would later learn that she had torn her ACL, LCL, and chipped a bone the size of a fingernail in her knee.
"It will probably be around 10 to 12 months until I can play again," Enyeart said. "I will have a more accurate timeline after surgery."
Her surgery was held on Wednesday, Nov. 18 near her hometown in California.
Enyeart is currently fourth on both the University of Portland's career goals and assists charts by recording 48 goals and 40 assists as a Pilot. Enyeart's passion for the game has also led her to have a spot on the U-23 US National Team.
"Soccer is my life, it's what I do," Enyeart said. "Almost everything in my life thus far has been based around the sport."
Before the injury, Enyeart planned to enter the draft for the Women's Professional Soccer League, which was to be held in January.
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