LSU redshirt freshman forward Kaley Blades can still vividly recall the play that ended her 2010 season.
In a September road match at Virginia Tech, the Tigers’ fourth game of the year, Blades sprinted at a Hokies defender and twisted her right knee while trying to suddenly stop her forward momentum.
“It was my first game starting in my career,” Blades said. “I remember being pretty excited to get out on the field that day. My parents were even there. I just remember that it hurt pretty bad, but we actually thought it was just an MCL strain for almost a season.”
LSU coach Brian Lee said Blades’ rehab effort was indicative of her high motor on the field and the energy she brings to practice.
“She’s an all-out kid,” Lee said. “Whether it’s in the game or rehab, she’s always at full speed. So we knew she would come back strong. She put in a lot of work, though, to get back as well as she time.”
Lee said the typical recovery time for an ACL injury in soccer is nine months, but he acknowledged his expectations for Blades required some adjustments.
“It can sometimes be 18 months before you’re truly comfortable again on the field after a knee injury like that,” Lee said. “We’ve all got to keep in perspective that she’s playing in just her fifth or sixth college game. Starting with the coaches’ expectations, we’ve had to be a little more patient and understand that she may still be a little team.”
Blades said the rehab exercise helped increase her fitness level on the field, which accelerated her progress once she returned.
“It took a while, like three months, to get back where I could even exercise,” she said. “For a while after that, all I could do was run. So, I kept running and kept running to stay in shape as best I could. That was what my team needed from me. And it’s been great to get back out on that out on the field again with my