Arner won't let injury hold her back

Injury 'Bug' Repellant doesn't really exist, but Candice Arner sure wouldn't refuse a spritz or two if it did.

Not only did the junior midfielder for the field hockey team (6-4 overall, 3-1 Ivy League) miss the entire season last year after season-ending knee surgery, but she also missed almost two full years in high school when she tore each of her ACLs. One major injury would have been frustrating enough, but after three such misfortunes, it would be an understatement to say that Lady Luck owes Arner.

Still, even the dark cloud of seasons lost has its silver lining, as Arner is quick to point out.

"Obviously [missing time] wasn't what I wanted, but at the same time, I learned so much from the sidelines," Arner said. "[Last season] was the third season that I've sat out, and each time I feel like I've come back with more knowledge about the game and more appreciation for just playing the game. It was very disappointing, but I'm so much more grateful now to be playing."

Though the Tigers ultimately won the 2006 Ivy League Championship without her, Arner, known to many fans and teammates as Candi, was sorely missed, having played a key role even as a rookie.

"Candi's freshman year, she started and played every minute. She generated a great deal of attack for us and proved to be an incredibly reliable defender," head coach Kristen Holmes-Winn said. "When we learned that her injury, which happened in our preseason scrimmage, would take her out for the season, we were devastated."

Junior midfielder Kraftin Schreyer gushed when describing how much the return of Arner, her roommate, means to the team.

"Candi is definitely one of the most skilled players on the team, and having her back this season makes a world of difference," Schreyer said. "Any team would be lucky to have her."

Princeton is that lucky team, and Arner is regarded as such an important part of it that her teammates welcomed her by voting her co-captain with senior midfielder Paige Schmidt for 2007.

"I'm so honored to be named captain after missing all of last year," Arner said. "It's a big responsibility, but it's so exciting at the same time. It makes me feel really good that my teammates think that highly of me."

Schreyer made it clear that Arner was an easy choice.

"Every team looks for an inspiration. By treating her injury and recovery in the way she did, Candi inspired all of us and was elected captain as a result. So far, no one's asked for a re-vote, so I think it's safe to say I speak for everyone when I say she's made a great captain this season," Schreyer said.

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Arner describes herself as a more conservative, defense-oriented midfielder who typically looks to pass first. A week and a half ago she scored her first regular season goal since Oct. 22, 2005, in the Tigers' 5-1 win over Richmond. She also registered an assist in the game and now has a goal and three assists on the year.

Holmes-Winn said that when Arner finally began practicing and playing again with the team after her injury, "she honestly didn't appear to miss a beat. If anything, I think it made her more determined, more hungry ... She has so much character. It is unbelievable, really."

Arner's recovery and determination seem to have inspired her teammates as well. Last Sunday, the Tigers bounced back in style from a tough 4-3 last-minute loss to Cornell (6-3, 3-2) with a 2-1 upset of No. 3 Connecticut (12-2).

"Obviously we're disappointed in our loss to Cornell, but this past weekend was a really great pick-me-up for the entire team," Arner, who assisted on Schmidt's game-winning goal, said of the victory.

For all that Arner brings to the table when it's time to play hockey, Schreyer said that perhaps Arner's most valuable contributions transcend the turf.

"Everyone brings something different to the team, and Candi is that girl anyone can talk to anywhere, anytime. She's a great player, but she's an even better friend," Schreyer said, also noting that Arner is a "pretty good" roommate and has a beautiful voice to boot.

Arner, for her part, is just happy to be healthy and playing again.

"It's great to be back," Arner said. "It's just so good to be playing for Princeton, representing our school and our team and all the girls who are my best friends."