As a freshman, athleticism and talent immediately helped Kristina Baumann stand out on the soccer field. That same determination and commitment may allow her to shine for one last season.

“The whole summer, this is what I’ve been training for,” Baumann said. “I didn’t want to be on the bench my senior season.”

After three years as one of the Cyclones’ most powerful athletes, a spring injury threatened to keep her sidelined. The senior forward broke her ankle and tore ligaments in a severe collision with a goalkeeper during off-season competition.

A long, sometimes painful, summer recovery put her in the position to start in last Friday’s season opener.

“I wanted to come out and show that [the injury] was not going to affect me and what I can do along with the other girls this season, and where we want to be,” Baumann said.

Her effort hasn’t gone unnoticed by coach Rebecca Hornbacher and the rest of the team.

“We knew it was going to be a pretty good recovery process, but she was very focused and determined to come back and have a strong senior season,” Hornbacher said. “There were days in the preseason where we would have a very high intensity day, I’d say, ‘How are you feeling?’ and she say, ‘I made it.’

“She has done everything she could do to fight through. We look to her as someone to help carry us through and help us achieve things as a program we have never achieved.”

Fellow senior Deb Benakis has come to expect special things from Baumann. The two have been teammates since high school when they competed on the same club squad.

“She is a great person to be on the field with,” Benakis said. “She always runs hard, always gives it everything she has. Especially this spring coming back, she really had to drive. To be back starting is very admirable.”

Baumann led Iowa State in points as a freshman, including two game-winning goals — one against Gonzaga and another against Baylor. She followed her game against the Bears with a hat trick against Texas Tech, and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and Newcomer of the Year.

“She is a dynamic player,” Benakis said. “She is one of our biggest threats. It’s fun to be behind her and watch her go and take people on.”

Baumann finished second in scoring her sophomore season, and last year, she tied for the team lead in points (12), goals (4) and assists (4).

“Ever since Kristina has been here over the last four years, there has been a lot of weight on her shoulders,” Hornbacher said. “Games, overtime matches, when we were trying to get all the points we could for the tournament, she has always been someone the team has turned to.”

Last season the Cyclones won eight games — the most since 1999 — and made the Big 12 tournament. This year have their sights set even higher.

“Making the Big 12 tournament was exciting, but we should expect to get there,” Baumann said. “I have high goals for both myself and the team.”

The triumphs of her career will hopefully make up for the trials she’s faced, she said.

“Overtime wins and game-winning goals,” Baumann said. “I remember scoring the game-winner against Oklahoma. Those are the things you remember.”

Baumann has also been successful in the classroom as a marketing major, being named to the Big 12 All-Academic first team last year.

“She is an outstanding student and outstanding person,” Hornbacher said.

“She represents ISU in a very positive fashion.”