Senior Molly Nizzolicame to Fresno State and made an immediate impact on the program. She was on the fast-track to Bulldog Soccer history before a near season ending injury her junior year.

As a freshman in 2008, she helped the team to its third Western Athletic Conference Tournament title in program history.

That year she scored a career-high four goals and had three assists. In her sophomore year she proved she had the endurance to provide continued support for the Bulldogs in the midfield by starting and going a full 90 minutes in 16 straight matches, spending over 1,600 minutes on the pitch that year. By the start of her junior season, Nizzoli was a two-time All-WAC and two-time Academic All-WAC student-athlete.

Seven matches into her third year, Nizzoli had already scored a goal and picked up two assists. The Bulldogs were down 1-0 early in the second half of a non-conference match against UC Irvine (Sept. 17) when Nizzoli tore her MCL. Irvine scored its second goal three minutes later en route to a 2-0 win. Fresno State dropped to 4-4 on the season.

She had played in 49 straight matches, earning 47 consecutive starts, before suffering a knee injury.

"I was blocking a shot and I just happened to kick the ball the same time the other girl did and it bent my leg back," said Nizzoli. "I tore my MCL."

What typically takes 4-6 weeks to heal ended up taking a full eight weeks as her body mended itself in a way that did not allow her to train.

"The [rehabilitation] was a lot of frustration," started Nizzoli. "I think it was most frustrating because there was nothing I or anyone could do about it. It was literally waiting for my own body to heal itself."

The duration of the rehab began to take a psychological toll on the student-athlete who was well on her way to making Bulldog history.

"As the weeks kept going or the months kept going on, I kept setting goals for myself," she added. But I think it was easier still being in season just because it gave me the motivation to push harder and push myself through things I didn't want to, knowing that I could possibly play again in that season."

Fresno State continued to struggle that season without Nizzoli and entered the conference tournament as the No. 6 seed with a 7-8-4 record. But in true underdog fashion, the team shutout the No. 3 seed Idaho (3-0) in the first round and then shutout No. 2 seeded Utah State (1-0) in the semifinals to advance to its first championship match since 2008.

Nizzoli had to watch from the sideline as her team played to a tie against San Jose State after 110 minutes of competition and the 2010 WAC Championship hinged on penalty kicks. She sat hoping after Fresno State's senior goalkeeper made two stops. And she joined in celebration as the Bulldogs' third kick hit the back of the net.

Being a part of the 2010 championship team not only meant another accomplishment for Nizzoli, but another opportunity. The extra weeks between the championship and the NCAA tournament were all she needed to be ready for competition. Finally rehabbed from her knee injury, Nizzoli would have at least one more chance to join her team on the pitch in the 2010 season.

"There was nothing in me that didn't want to go out there and play and prove to myself that I could come back," said Nizzoli.

Her dad is quoted as having never seen her smile as big as when she was waiting to go on the field at the NCAA match. A true daddy's girl, it was her father who helped her through the difficult rehab. The pair had bonded through soccer when she was a kid.

"I don't think I could ever show or say how appreciative I am to have him in my life as such a huge support," she said. "He was my coach up until I was like eight maybe. And I played with my brother and sister all on one team. I just played up with all the big kids so my dad could coach me. I can say he's my biggest fan and my biggest critic but not in a bad way, in a good way."

He was an extra coach and special sideline support when she needed it. She only spent 11 minutes in the match and the team eventually lost 2-1 (Nov. 11) to Central Florida, but Molly Nizzoli was back.

In the 2011 season, Nizzoli has started every match and spent 90 minutes or more on the pitch in 13 of the teams' 15 matches. She is currently ranked nationally in total assists (17th) and assists per game and leads the WAC in both categories. Her 14 career assists put her fifth on the all-time list at Fresno State. She is also currently ninth on the all-time career shots list with 101.

"Coming into this season, honestly, it's kind of one of those things I don't think about," said Nizzoli of the injury. "I was always one of those players who thought nothing like that could ever happen to me. And it was kind of a reality check when it did happen. It's a fresh start."

Molly Nizzoli is a story of perseverance. She is a shining example of how hard work and dedication lead to overcoming any obstacle. Even those so common as injuries can lead student-athletes down a different path. She fought for her place on the pitch and kept her mind in the books.

This spring Nizzoli is expected to graduate as a three-time Academic All-WAC member with a degree in criminology with a law enforcement emphasis.

"We Are Your Team!" Remember that your Bulldogs are home next on Oct. 21st when the Louisiana Lady Techsters come to town in a Western Athletic Conference match. Game time is set for 7 p.m. and all home women's soccer matches are FREE. You can always stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook (fresnostateathletics) and Twitter (@FSAthletics).