In her brief career at Saint Louis University, Shannon Myers has already beaten more opponents than most athletes will ever have to face.

From NCAA rulings to concussions standing in her way, Myers continues toward her goal-playing soccer. She finally has the chance to play this season. And she plans on taking advantage of every minute she has on the field.

Myers knew that she would have to work hard in order to play as a freshman.

“I came in and had to earn my playing time,” said Myers. “The change in the level of intensity was the most dramatic thing that I noticed. The play was quicker and more physical.”

But Myers’ career began with more struggles than she had anticipated. After coming to SLU, Myers found that she couldn’t play. The NCAA Clearinghouse wouldn’t accept one of her English classes from high school.

“I graduated a semester early from high school,” Myers said. “I was told that everything was fine and I took all the classes I needed to comply with NCAA (regulations). I came here and found that wasn’t the case. I lost my scholarship until everything was settled.”

Myers appealed the ruling and was forced to miss the first four games of the season before it was resolved.

“I never thought that I was going to get to play last year. I didn’t really feel that the appeal would go through,” Myers said.

But it did, and Myers was cleared to play. She joined the team for their match in Indiana.

Everything seemed to be falling into place as Myers’ freshman year progressed. But Myers would find a new challenge, one that proved to be greater than anything she would have imagined.

Myers suffered a series of concussions. The first happened at practice on a collision with a teammate as both jumped for a header.

Myers second concussion came after a line drive hit the side of her head. Her final concussion was suffered against DePaul when she went up for a header.

“I went to get the ball and fell over,” Myers said.

She went in for medical examinations and received the worst news she could have heard: she had to sit out for six months. Her season was over.

“I was just getting into the flow after six games. There was such a change between high school and college,” Myers said.

Myers basically had to start over and prepare for her sophomore season after her appeal for a redshirt season was denied.

“This summer, I prepared myself mentally and physically,” Myers said.

“The six games that I played the year before gave me the experience I needed. I got to the point I needed to be at for what was expected of me. I was able to fit into the team. I didn’t hold anything back.”

Coach Tim Champion has been impressed with Myers’ improvement, considering her lack of playing time last season.

“She has some things to learn, but she has progressed quickly,” Champion said. “It won’t take long for her to get to where she needs to be as a sophomore.”

Myers has recorded two goals in the Billikens’ first three games. But her role on the team goes much deeper than her statistics.

Myers can move the Bills from defense to offense quickly with her accurate passing and leadership. Myers’ height is also an asset when playing corner kicks and balls in the air.

“We didn’t know about her physical presence last season,” Champion said. “We knew she could move the ball soundly, but we didn’t know she could be as physical as she is.”

“She is very aggressive and is another big back for us. She sees the whole field,” Champion said. “We didn’t know how well she played in the air.”

Myers credits her teammates for her quick recovery and her successful return to the Billikens’ starting lineup.

“You can only do the best if you play with the best,” Myers said. “My teammates haven’t just helped me get back to where I want to be- they’ve helped me to become better than I was.”

Champion feels that there are no limits to Myers’ ability.

“She’s going to be a really good ball player. She has the potential to be one of the best players on the team,” Champion said.

“She has the chance to be one of the best players in the conference and one of the best players we’ve recruited in the past three years.”

Considering the trials that Myers has already overcome, no goal is out of her reach.