Colleges

Spartan happy to be back in the lineup

By Keith Niebuhr
Published August 28, 2007

On the surface, the fact University of Tampa defender Alicia Wyman played every minute of both Spartans games last weekend might not sound particularly compelling.

But consider this:

She didn't play at all last season.

And this:

She played only nine minutes the year before that.

Both seasons were derailed by injury.

"There were many tears shed," Wyman said.

This fall, the junior from Houston who will play a key role for the Spartans, is completely healthy and her team is glad to have her.

"She," UT coach Gerry Lucey said. "is a vocal leader."

Wyman, an honor student studying physical therapy, started every game as a freshman. But primed for another solid fall, her 2005 season ended after she sustained a spinal cord injury in the opener. A year later, Wyman was lost after hurting her back during summer camp.

"That (second injury) was so disheartening," Wyman said. "I had just come back in the spring."

Sitting on the sideline wasn't easy.

Especially last fall.

With Wyman watching, the Spartans reached the final four.

"It was tough," she said. "But you contribute in different ways. I was always there to support my teammates."

Now, Wyman is back on the field and, she hopes, better than ever.

"I had two years to prepare," Wyman said. "This season means the world to me."

[Last modified August 28, 2007, 20:33:16]