Woelfel's Return Steadies Cyclone Backline

AMES, Iowa - This year's soccer season for Amanda Woelfel was never a guarantee after the Omaha, Neb., native was forced to redshirt the 2010 campaign due to a stress fracture in her right leg that she suffered following a highly decorated freshman season.

After a painful surgery and countless hours of rehabilitation Woelfel has not only returned to the Cyclone roster, but she has started both of Iowa State's first two matches of the season. Playing nearly all the possible 180 minutes over the two matches in the Cyclone defense, Woelfel was a key cog in Iowa State blanking its first two opponents.

"She's in a new position from what she was when she played for us as a freshman," Iowa State head coach Wendy Dillinger said. "Because of her service and abilities as a defender and being very athletic, we thought it might be a good fit. She took to it like a fish in water. The fact that she's very disciplined has also helped her adjust to her new role."

The fact that Woelfel has any real role on the Cyclones this season is an achievement in itself. After being a two-time Big 12 Conference newcomer of the week, leading the Cyclones in points and being named the team's newcomer of the year in 2009, Woelfel had to endure a painful 2010 on the sidelines.

"After practicing in the spring following my freshman year, I had trouble even walking," Woelfel said. "Then, we did a bone scan and learned I had a stress fracture that ended up breaking all the way through. After trying to let it heal, we learned it would require surgery and the rehab process would be at least a year."

Instead of feeling sorry for herself, Woelfel accepted that she would not be able to play the 2010 season and vowed to come back healthy and a more educated soccer player.

"She was a real trooper," Dillinger said. "With her injury, it always felt like whenever she would take one step forward, she would have to take two steps back. We were trying to avoid a surgery. Then when it came apparent that, that wasn't possible she went through a pretty painful surgery. She has been committed through the whole process. The thing about her is she never lost sight of her goal or her focus and she's always stayed very positive through the whole process. She's done what she can for her team, supporting her team, motivating her team. I think the heart and dedication that she showed is something that's a great example for our team."

"I learned my role from off the field instead of being on the field by following the game really closely and helping the other players any way I could," Woelfel said.

While her teammates had the opportunity to play, Woelfel spent time rehabbing with Iowa State athletic trainer Tim Weesner and with the physical therapy staff. For roughly six months, Woelfel would rehab once and sometimes twice a day to get ready for a return in 2011.

While she has come back healthy, her return to form still is not complete.

"I really had to get used to tackling at first and trusting that I wouldn't injure my foot again," Woelfel said. "My foot still hurts, but it is nothing like it was before. I still do a lot of treatment and rehabbing with our trainer Amanda Brown and I sometimes wear an air cast. I'm still in the process of getting back fully in shape. I was out for a long time, but I'm getting better each day. I'm excited for the future."

If Woelfel continues to improve on an already impressive game, opposing teams should get used to seeing a zero next to their names in the final box score.