After freshman Katherine Cuntz won the 2011 LHSAA and Gatorade Player of the Year, her collegiate soccer career began with tears.

Preparing for her first collegiate game, Cuntz injured her hamstring. She knew immediately she could miss time.

“It was frustrating but I knew it would get worst if I kept playing,” Cuntz said.

“I pulled myself out. I was obviously really frustrated,” Cuntz said.

Cuntz, a Mandeville native, attended school in New Orleans at St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Leading her high school team to a state championship, she received 2 outstanding awards, 2011 Gatorade and High School Player of the Year. The awards recognized her as one of America’s elite high school student athletes both on and off the field.

Cuntz is no stranger to the game. She has been playing since she was five-years-old.

“When I was little it was just a fun, active sport,” Cuntz said. “But as I got older it allowed me to travel and meet different people.”

Having to sit out the first two games wasn’t exactly how Cuntz expected her college career.

“It kind of stinks, this is what I consider my first college weekend,” Cuntz said.

Cuntz said she feels she can help bring ULM to the conference tournament with a positive attitude along with her abilities to break attacks and score as an offensive player.

She is rehabbing and receiving treatment and is not allowed to practice for week to make sure her hamstring is fully healed and that it doesn’t “become a lingering injury as it gets closer to conference and deeper into the season.”

Outside of soccer, Cuntz hopes to maintain a high GPA while applying herself in the classrooms.

“I want to manage my time well and whether I’m in class or at soccer, I want to be doing the best I possibly can,” said Cuntz.

Cuntz plans to return for the home-opener against Northwestern State Tues., Aug. 23.