After hyper-extending her left knee in a game against Marquette on Oct. 16, 2011, junior midfielder Megan Hunsberger collapsed to the ground, unaware of her injury.

“It was the weirdest feeling ever,” she said.

Hunsberger hobbled to the sideline, where SU head coach Phil Wheddon approached her and asked if she could continue playing. She gave an affirmative nod and trotted back to her position. But immediately, Hunsberger recognized there was a problem.

“When I ran back onto the field, someone played me the ball, and I laid it off (to a teammate),” Hunsberger remembered. “I just knew. I crawled off the field.”

Hunsberger was disappointed to learn that she had torn her left ACL and would require season-ending reconstructive surgery. The searing pain was all too familiar for Hunsberger, who had previously torn her right ACL while playing for Freedom High School in her hometown of Bethlehem, Pa.

The injury was another setback and possible impediment to Hunsberger’s career at Syracuse. But with a little motivational support from former teammate Megan Bellingham, Hunsberger set her sights on returning to full strength as a threat for the Orange. She has battled back and Wheddon expects her versatility to play a vital role for SU this season.

Upon her arrival to Syracuse, Hunsberger impressed the coaching staff with her explosive speed and ball-handling ability, Wheddon said. She was an immediate contributor as a freshman, tallying two goals and playing in 14 games before tearing her ACL.

The Orange also relied heavily on Hunsberger’s exceptional field vision, said senior defender Kayla Afonso. She played the role of field general, so her absence was an obvious loss for the team.

“It was devastating when we lost her, because I know how good she can be when she’s on the field,” Afonso said. “She scored goals and created opportunities, so it definitely hurt us last year. We didn’t have that speed and her talent.”

As a result of her injury, Hunsberger had trouble walking up the steps in her two-floor apartment on South Campus. She moved into Bellingham’s single-floor apartment on Slocum Heights, and the pair formed a bond that helped guide Hunsberger through the recovery process.

Bellingham was a fifth-year senior at the time, and her three debilitating knee injuries rendered her incapable of playing another game with the Orange. But Bellingham stayed close to the team as an assistant coach, providing Hunsberger with uplifting words of encouragement during her recovery.

“My biggest advice for her was always ‘There’s going to be a day when you can play again. Always keep your eyes on that,’” Bellingham said. “It can be discouraging at times. … I can’t tell you how much respect I really gained for her watching her go through that process.”

Hunsberger took Bellingham’s words of advice and refocused her abundant energy on contributing to the team. She remained a constant pillar of support for her teammates. No matter how frustrating the situation, she always kept a beaming smile on the sideline.

Since returning for SU this season, Hunsberger has showcased the potential she displayed two seasons ago. Against Farleigh Dickinson, she delivered a beautiful corner kick toward the back post, and Koval headed the aerial pass into the net for the eventual game-winning goal.

“Lou-ie, Lou-ie!” her teammates cheered from the sideline, using her nickname.

“When I was younger, I named a soccer ball Louie and I would carry it around everywhere,” Hunsberger admitted with a hint of embarrassment.

The Orange missed Hunsberger’s natural ability, Afonso said. But her radiant personality and innate silliness is what keeps everyone loose.

“She’s just a clown, really,” Afonso said. “She puts in music and she dances to whatever it is. She gets everyone pumped up and ready. She’s one of a kind.”

Published on September 11, 2013 at 2:43 am