I’ve never been happier’: Lancers’ Olivia Corazza back from ACL tear and scoring
A year ago, Olivia Corazza couldn’t play at all. Now she’s one of the top scorers in the country.
The fourth-year Windsor Lancers striker tallied twice in a 4-0 win over Algoma Friday night and has nine goals this season. That has her tied for second in the OUA, behind Ottawa’s Sabrina Mangiaracina, and fifth in Canada.
It’s a big turnaround from last season. “I tore my ACL, in the summer last year, and I couldn’t play my season last year,” Corazza told PowerplayWindsor.com. “So this means the world to me to be able to be back and playing.”
The team's offence flowed through Corazza who took 11 of the Lancers' 19 shots at the Algoma net.
“I’ve never been happier than this season playing soccer. I’ve always obviously loved soccer but after being injured for an entire year, coming back and playing again, this is meant everything to me.”
Her teammates helped make the return easier.
“The girls are so supportive. My first game back, they were so encouraging and it meant the world to me.”
Lancers head coach Dan Mendonca watched the comeback happen.
“Yeah, really proud of Olivia. The way she’s rebounded and the way she rehabbed,” Mendonca said. “She was someone who came in pretty raw and just was getting better and better each year.”
The injury came at a tough time, just as she seemed ready to break out.
“When she got hurt in the summer, it was unfortunate,” Mendonca explained. “From the first day of training camp, she’s just been on fire.”
The win over Algoma in their final regular season home game was important in the standings. “We needed a big win like this,” Corazza said.
The victory, combined with McMaster’s loss at Guelph Friday night, leaves Windsor fifth in the OUA West at 3-4-4. The Lancers close the regular season at Waterloo, and the playoff picture is simple.
“A win and we’re in,” Mendonca said. “What we’ve shown this year is we can beat anybody.”
Corraza knows how close they are. “We’re on the cusp. We’re right there.”