Determined Perreault braced for soccer comeback in 2005

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Danielle Perreault could only watch and cheer as her Blue Raider teammates captured the 2004 Sun Belt Conference championship, the first league title in program history, but the driven and dogged Perreault found other means of helping her team while, at the same time, becoming more and more determined to make a strong return to the soccer field for her senior season.

Outwardly, Perreault was the consummate teammate - doing anything in her power to assist in the team's success whether as a cheerleader or mentor to younger players. Inwardly, the goalkeeper was distraught at the not being able to take the field in a playing capacity due to an offseason injury.

Coming off an All-Sun Belt Conference Tournament performance in 2003 and putting together one of the best single seasons ever for a Blue Raider keeper, Perreault was braced to take her game to an even higher level in 2004.

That's when an unfortunate shoulder injury put her future in perspective.

"I was looking forward to a big year and I was the only returner with experience so I felt good about things," Perreault said. "Then I had the shoulder injury and after awhile it became obvious I wasn't going to be able to play and really contribute to the team the way I would want."

Perreault did get to play - a mere two games and just under 75 total minutes. This coming just after she had seen action in all 21 games the season before. It was a season in which she finished first on the single-season list for most wins (11), first in shutouts (7) and tied for seventh with 63 saves. She enters the 2005 season No. 4 all-time with 95 saves and her 1.71 goals-against-average is third all-time.

The Ajax, Ontario native will be looking to build on those numbers in 2005 and Perreault's preseason performances seem to indicate she's back and ready to assume the role as Middle Tennessee's stingy keeper.

"I feel good and the shoulder is doing well so far," Perreault said. "I'm able to take the brace off, and I'm really looking forward to getting back on the field and contributing. I believe I have been doing pretty well this preseason so I'm happy about that. I just want to get back out there and help."

Graduate assistant Adam Sayers, who serves as the team's keeper coach, said Perreault's presence was very much felt during her injury-riddled junior campaign, just from a different perspective. With Perreault sidelined it cleared the way for freshman Jenny Manis to land the job and she came through with a strong season. Behind the scenes, Perreault was busy mentoring the rookie.

"After watching (Perreault) work with Jenny last year I can tell you she is a bit of a leader within that small group," Sayers said. "Danielle helped Jenny last year. She helped her in practice and in games and they developed a good relationship so I will be looking for the same out of Danielle there. In addition to her leadership, Danielle brings strong qualities to the position and I've been impressed with her work ethic and practices this preseason."

Manis transferred to Central Florida during the offseason in order to be closer to home and once again Perreault was reporting to camp as the only experienced player in goal, joining freshmen Brittany Buford and Courtney Fortner. While Perreault continues to be busy mentoring her younger teammates, she also is focused on contributing to another championship run.

"Even though the team did really well last year you still want to feel even more a part of it, as far as playing a bigger role," Perreault said. "Hopefully this year we can do even better and I will be able to play an even bigger part in it."

Middle Tennessee coach Aston Rhoden said Perreault's leadership has definitely given her an upper hand during the preseason, but he contends the pressure of competing against two other talented keepers has proven beneficial.

"Perreault has worked very hard this summer and you can tell it on the field during preseason," Rhoden said. "Maybe the pressure of having two keepers has done that for her, I don't know, but she is doing a good job and it's nice to have her back out there competing because Danielle brings a great deal of experience. She's the only keeper we have on the team who has played a Sun Belt Conference game and I think that's pivotal as you look at how much our league has, and continues, to improve."

Middle Tennessee will play at Lipscomb in the season opener, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m., and Perreault is anxious to have the opportunity to step back on the field in a starting capacity for the first time since her breakout campaign of 2003.