After sitting out for more than two years because of a major knee surgery, Dixmont native and former John Bapst High School of Bangor star Abby Pyne finally made her college debut in goal for the Duke University women’s soccer team this past weekend.
She had played 19:27 of a 1-0 exhibition win over Clemson on Aug. 15 before relieving E.J. Proctor in the 5-0 victory over Fresno State and 4-0 triumph over Weber State (Utah) during the Nike Carolina Classic at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
She made one save while playing the second half against Fresno State and wasn’t required to make any saves in the final 36:16 of the Weber State game.
But she did get several touches on the ball on back passes from her teammates.
“It was surreal,” said Pyne, a redshirt freshman who underwent a surgical procedure on Sept. 23, 2013, to repair severely torn cartilage in her left knee. “My parents were able to make it down to watch me play for the first time in three years.
“It was an unparalleled feeling,” she added.
She said she was nervous when she first took the field, “but when I got my first touch on the ball, everything came back to me.”
Pyne said there is “definitely a learning curve” after sitting out for so long.
“Every second I get to spend on the field, it’s an opportunity for me to get more experience,” she said. “I get to see the ball more and deal with different [situations]. You need to be comfortable back there. The encouragement and support I’ve received from my teammates made me feel comfortable. They have believed in me more than I believed in myself. They have really kept me going.”
Pyne noted that as a goalkeeper, one of her most important jobs is directing the defense.
“It’s a unique position. You’re commanding everyone else so you have to be very confident within yourself. I’m definitely feeling more comfortable and confident,” she said.
Pyne said the knee feels “good” but admitted it was sore after each game.
“It’s going to be a pain management season,” said Pyne. “There’s always going to be pain in the knee. It’s a matter of tolerating it. I’m going to have to take some time off to recover after game days so that I’ll be able to train hard every day. I’ll be spending a lot of time in the training room. The physical therapists and trainers have been incredible.”
Her postgame regimen includes an ice bath and electrical stimulation applied to her knee.
She said she is thankful double sessions are over. Now that Duke has started school, the team will practice just once a day.