Marion Kimble
From the sidelines, Katrina “Amanda” Bernal cheers on the Pierce College women’s soccer team. Despite her ability, she knows the coach won’t be able to use her, but she comes to support her team anyway.The coach’s choice has nothing to do with her capabilities or her commitment to the team. Before Pierce’s Oct. 2 match against Santa Monica College, she was the team’s top scorer, having mustered eight goals, four of them against Antelope Valley College, and three assists during the team’s first 11 games of the season.She watches from the sidelines because during Pierce’s game with Santa Monica, a member of the opposing team fouled Bernal, possibly tearing her anterior cruciate ligament, often referred to as the ACL. If this is true, Bernal will be unable to play again until next semester, at the earliest. “[Bernal] started the season as one of our key players,” said Mia Swafford, midfielder for the women’s soccer team and close friend of Bernal’s. “We’re praying for her,” Swafford said.”I was clipped from behind,” Bernal recalls. “I heard a crack and pop, so I knew it was something seriously bad. It’s depressing, but I’m working on a quick recovery.”Her teammates hope the injury isn’t something as critical as her ACL. Anyone who may have seen Bernal around campus can tell she still retains a lot of energy. Her teammates were eagerly awaiting Bernal’s MRI results, which she was scheduled to receive yesterday, in hopes that the results would put their fears to rest.Adolfo Perez, the team’s coach, isn’t as optimistic.”Santa Monica’s physical trainers assured us it was her ACL,” said Perez.Injuries, especially to the ACL, are commonplace on the soccer field. According to ehealthMD.com, “The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most important of four strong ligaments connecting the bones of the knee joint. It is often injured.””Players go into games knowing stats,” said Swafford. “They often aim for the top players. It’s about a 50/50 chance that you might come back with an injury.”Bernal isn’t fazed so easily, though.”Two doctors have said it is my ACL,” she said, “but I feel too good for it to be my ACL.”Despite the team’s optimism they’ll have to face the possibility that their top scorer may be out for the season. How does the team plan to pick up the slack?According to Perez, the team has changed their “tactical system.” “The girls have really produced,” Perez said. “There was a negative impact at first, but the girls have really geared up.””We all work together,” Bernal said, “so they are doing really well, even without me.”Even if she can’t play this semester, Bernal plans on returning as soon as possible. She still attends every practice and game.”I can’t miss practice,” she said, “I don’t want to fall behind and I need to support my team.”