Fresno State Athletics
Ashjian Overcomes Injuries
10/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 7, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - Megan Ashjian has played soccer since she was four and it has been a huge factor in her daily routine. The Clovis, Calif. native lettered four years at Buchanan High School.
While at Buchanan, Ashjian played in the midfield and defense. She was the team captain her junior and senior year and earned the title of Defensive Player of the Year.
Ashjian was not only successful on the field, but she excelled in the classroom too. The civil engineering major graduated high school with a 4.29 GPA.
Ashjian wanted to continue her athletic and academic success at the next level. She was recruited by Fresno Pacific, Cal State Bakersfield, and Cal State L.A., but it was Fresno State soccer and academics that caught her eye. Ashjian juggles the daily tasks of being an athlete and a student in the Smittcamp honors program.
"I chose Fresno State because I was able to play at home and the coaches were welcoming," said Ashjian. "After I got accepted to Smittcamp it was a done deal."
Excited to enter her freshman year, Ashjian prepared with the Bulldogs looking forward to her first season. The dream of playing with the `Dogs was halted by a season ending injury.
Coming into her freshman season, Ashjian was playing indoor and outdoor soccer. Playing on the concrete for indoor soccer caused pain in her shins. She noticed the pain going into her freshman season and after playing in the first exhibition game against Fresno Pacific the pain was too much.
Ashjian learned that she had stress fractures in both of her shins. She continued to practice with the Bulldogs, but didn't see any action in conference play the rest of the 2007 season.
Once the season was over, Ashjian was ordered to take time off and let her injuries heal. Ashjian found it hard to sit around and not play soccer. She was used to playing sports year round because she grew up playing soccer and participating in travel softball.
By spring training she was ready for action again. Shortly, after spring practice started Ashjian's injury started acting up again.
Ashjian was told to take another seven weeks off to let her shins heal. She was cleared to play a day before preseason workouts began. Ashjian continued to wait to make sure that she was healthy for her sophomore season.
Three weeks after the season began Ashjian was cleared to play. Now Ashjian is back in uniform and suiting up for games and practice. She has jumped back into action and picked up where she left off, only this year Ashjian is seeing time in the midfield instead of the defense.
She debuted in her first match since her injury on Aug. 31 against Cal Poly. Coming off the bench Ashjian has become the 12th man for the Bulldogs. As a midfielder she helps stop attacks before it reaches the Bulldog defense and she creates opportunities for the Bulldog offense.
In the last three games she has played 74 minutes and tallied two shots. In the game against Florida International, Ashjian was able to put two balls in the back of the net. The first attempt the ball was headed in but called back due to offsides.
"I was just happy to be back out on the field," said Ashjian. "The first one that didn't count was nice, but the second one that counted was even sweeter."
Ashjian's first career goal was also the game winning goal against Florida International. She placed the ball perfectly over the goalkeepers head from 35-yards out.
"I want make sure I stay healthy and can play," said Ashjian. "I want to be able to contribute whatever is needed for the team."
Ashjian's perseverance and determination has been the anchor to her success on and off the soccer field. One of 12 sophomores on the young Bulldog team, she has a lot to look forward to over the next few years.
"Join the State, Fresno State!" - The `Dogs open WAC play on the road at San Jose State on Friday, October 10 at 3 p.m. They return to Bulldog Stadium on Sunday, October 12 as they take on WAC rival Hawai'i at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, call the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
