MINNEAPOLIS — Her college soccer career ended before it had even begun.
Two serious injuries sidelined Gophers in their first year, but Caroline Birdsell is back after an unforgettable debut.
Two knee injuries, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament, kept Birdsell out of the remainder of her high school soccer career at Illinois and prevented her from attending her freshman year at the University of Minnesota.
“It’s every athlete’s nightmare, but the perspective changes everything,” she said.
The setback only made her stronger for her official Gopher debut this season in the home opener against Creighton, where she scored a game-tying goal and then added another to give the Gophers a 2-1 victory.
“I can’t even describe it, I’m so happy. I’m just so happy that I was able to score those goals for my team and that I got off to a good start for my team,” she said.
After her debut, she was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, an award that has not been given to a Gopher freshman in four years.
Head coach Erin Chastain was confident such a comeback was possible.
“Given her drive and intensity, I had no doubt she would come back an even better player,” Chastain said.
The scars from her surgeries are still visible as she continues to recover and stay strong, hoping to be an example of resilience.
Marielle Mohs
