After sitting out the majority of the 2014 season with an ACL injury, NC State women’s soccer captain and redshirt sophomore forward Jackie Stengel returns to the lineup looking to make her mark on the program.
Fresh off an ACC All-Freshman campaign, Stengel entered the 2014 season as one of the Wolfpack’s top players until a season-ending knee injury halted her sophomore year. Stengel returns to action this season, providing a boost of talent and leadership to a young Pack squad.
Prior to her injury, Stengel earned third team All-ACC honors as a true freshman in 2013, leading the team with nine goals, 19 points and 23 shots on goal.
Those numbers proved to be irreplaceable, as the Wolfpack struggled without Stengel on the field in 2014, going 2-15-2 and winless in conference play.
Head coach Tim Santoro believes the team missed more from Stengel than simply her production.
“Besides missing her on the field last year, we just had a void of some leadership that she helps provide,” Santoro said. “Jackie is a very contagious person that people like to follow.”
Despite not being able to contribute on the field and experiencing many emotions after discovering the extent of her injury, Stengel did her best to lead her teammates from the sideline.
“It was hard, especially in a captain’s role, on the bench trying to lead my team,” Stengel said. “I battled a lot of emotions and tried not to show those negative emotions on the bench, but I continued to encourage my team. It was a little different not being out there, not being able to travel with the team and not see what’s going on, but I still tried to encourage them as much as I could.
Stengel spent significant time rehabilitating her knee and additional time getting in playing shape in an effort to be fully ready for the 2015 season.
“I feel like it took me the preseason to get back to 100 percent,” Stengel said. “I’m definitely back to 100 percent.”
Stengel made her long-awaited return in the season opener against San Diego, picking up right where she left off before her injury, scoring the Wolfpack’s first goal of the season.
“It’s definitely a little bit of a shock getting back,” Stengel said. “But I’m even more excited to get back after it and have a good season.”
In four games this season, Stengel has proven how vital she is to the Pack’s success, tallying two goals and providing valuable leadership to a team full of talented freshmen.
“She’s the leader of this team,” Santoro said. “Not just on the field but every day. The team follows her lead. I think she’s been a good one for the freshmen to see. It’s not just soccer, having Jackie back. She just naturally leads the group with her play and vocally. We’re happy to have her back.”
With Stengel leading the way, both on and off the field, a talented NC State women’s soccer team is in prime position to have its best season under third-year coach Tim Santoro.
