By Tressa Girodo
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 16, 1997

All-American Padula begins rehabing her way her back to stardom

Arizona Daily Wildcat Marisa Padula

Stuck, laying in her bed at University Medical Center's recovery room, freshman All-American Marisa Padula could only close her eyes and dream of what playing in her first collegiate soccer game would be like.

Only six days before she was to join the rest of her new teammates in preseason drills, the Maryland native tore her anterior cruciate ligament in the final match of the National Tournament in Phoenix.

Padula, a three year All-Region and All-Maryland high school phenom, was supposed to resurrect Arizona's offense. She was all but penciled in to start at center midfielder for the first game, but now after successful surgery, she can only think of what could have been.

"It came out of the blue, while I was running down the field in the first twenty minutes of the game," Padula said. "I got scared because I heard my knee pop as I fell to the ground."

For now, Padula is recovering with her parents at a hotel because her dorm room is on the third floor under Arizona Stadium.

She will have her parents help through the weekend, to make sure she is okay, but Monday she is on her own.

"All I am thinking about now is getting off my crutches," she said. "And how I am going to get through my classes."

Padula will have to deal with the injury transportation cart for now, however, she hopes to be walking on her own in a couple of weeks.

Ian C. Mayer Arizona Daily Wildcat UA freshman midfielder Kate Nighswander-Will is slidetackled by an ASU player during the Wildcat's game against the Sun Devils last week. Arizona hosts the University of Texas Friday night at 7 at Murphey Stadium.

Padula got an early start on rebuilding her knee before her surgery to maintain her strength through the process.

"Since I tore my ACL in August, I have been rehabing every day," Padula said.

Thursday, she will meet with UA orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jon Nesbit for approval to begin her post-surgical rehabilitation on Friday.

Padula, who has been a member of the Olympic Development Program for the past six years, has short term goals of regaining motion and getting strength back into her legs.

With a successful rehab, Padula could be running in three months and at full strength, okayed for competition in six months - her collegiate career could begin this spring.

Airheart to the rescue

Eighteen-year-old Inger Airheart has become Arizona's highest praised recruit with only five games under her belt.

In her first season of collegiate soccer, Airheart has earned the reputation that a four year starter usually gains.

"Inger is the best goalkeeper UA has ever had," assistant coach Natalie McDowell said. "She brings technically and tactically sound skills to our defense."

McDowell, who has coached Arizona's goalkeepers since the program's inaugural season in 1994, has worked closely with Airheart to familiarize her with the style of UA's defense.

"We were disappointed with the San Jose game, but Inger had a great game," McDowell said. "The goals came from a lack of marking up in the back."

Airheart was thrust into the starting line-up because Krista Conway, last year's backup to now graduated Jennifer Weibel, wasn't sure about making the commitment of playing Division I soccer. Conway decided to stay, but has remained in the backup spot because of Airheart's early success.

"Inger has made a big difference in our defensive game this season," McDowell said. "And she is only getting better."