Oct. 21, 2010
By Steven Hughes, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State defender Jackie Molinda's blue-collar attitude and high energy through adversity could be a valuable piece for the Nittany Lions moving forward with the rest of the 2010 season.
Molinda was an early favorite to start for the Nittany Lions this year until a strained medial collateral ligament (MCL) halted her progress. The pesky strain kept her sidelined until a Penn State blowout against Bucknell gave her an opportunity to test her recovering knee in limited minutes before her first career start against Michigan State.
"Now I'm back 100 percent," Molinda said.
Her first career start for Penn State was anything but limited. Nittany Lions head coach Erica Walsh started a ready Molinda a full 90 minutes of play in a 1-0 victory against Michigan State (9/26).
Molinda has logged 90 minutes or more for Penn State five of the last six games since the MSU match. As a result, Molinda helped the Nittany Lions to a 4-2 record through their last six games.
Walsh said she knew Molinda's been working incessantly, but it was the sophomore's improved communication and on-field chemistry that allowed Molinda to put her stamp on the team.
"We knew she could play, but you can play and have no personality, have no role on within this team," Walsh said. "But now she's starting to talk and show some personality."
Nittany Lion midfielder Emily Hurd said Molinda is a tireless worker whose focus on returning healthy guided her back to a strong recovery.
"She had a great attitude throughout the whole thing and since she's been back out on the field she hasn't changed at all," Hurd said. "She's still a really hard worker and still proving that she deserves that spot. And fighting to keep it," she said.
Molinda's consistency and determination helped a Penn State team that rode an emotional roller coaster of wins and losses find steady production. Molinda said she's more concerned with helping Penn State get back on track than anything else.
"I think we're working really hard right now, trying to get our season on track," she said. "I think we were really unlucky and we've been working hard. One of these days we're just gonna keep [it going]. I can feel it."
--NITTANY LIONS--