Tuesday, July 28, 1998

Paterson hopes to operate
on field with Wahine

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Five operations on her right knee haven't dampened the burning desire in Amanda Paterson to be part of University of Hawaii Wahine soccer.

There was a point in her career where Paterson, UH's starting goalkeeper the past two seasons, was a candidate for Australia's national team. Completing her education took precedence.

Now, just being ready for the opening of Wahine practice Aug. 18 demands her full attention.

The problem with her right knee is recurring. It surfaced again in February during the early days of the Wahine spring practice.

"The pain just became unbearable," Paterson said.

Operation No. 4 was performed in February, moving some cartilage from the left side to the right side of her knee.

Eight weeks on crutches, then no running or much of anything else allowed, except hours exercising and working with weights to strengthen the knee.

"It was going along really well," Paterson said. "Then I went out and practiced just once with a couple of girls on the team. I knew the season was coming up and I knew I had to do more than what I was doing, but it (the knee) just swelled out."

So, last week it was operation No. 5, an exploratory arthroscopic procedure to see how operation No. 4 was doing.

"For this one, I had a local, a block in my leg. It was pretty wild, but I wanted to see what was going on in there," Paterson said. "I watched the whole thing and could see where it had healed and where it hadn't healed. There is still a big hole there (on the outside of the knee)."

Patterson will have operation No. 6 after the 1998 Wahine season. Another operation now would knock her out of her final season with the Wahine.

And, because of the chronic problems with the knee, Paterson realizes this may be her last opportunity to play at any level other than local club soccer.

"I haven't given up complete hope (of playing for Australia), but I don't expect to get a call," she said. "I won't be playing after 2001. I really want to graduate. My visa runs out in July, 2001, so I'm going to stretch it out until then so I can stay in this country."

A communications major with an interest in international communications, Paterson has one thought to communicate to her teammates.

"If we don't make the WAC playoffs in Provo, I'll be so disappointed. We let so many games slip away last year," she said.

"We've got to make it this year. We can't keep calling ourselves a new program. This is our sixth year and we have to get out of that mentality.

"We need to do it for the school and the program and the only way is to keep winning."

But, will the 5-foot-6 goalkeeper be ready?

"It's my last year of eligibility and it's very important I play," she said. "I'm still looking to start, but if I don't, Demarre Sanchez is more than capable."