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Abbie Moulder takes a header during the Lady Broncs' win over Cody in May. Loulder will play soccer for St. Mary's College when she recovers from a recent knee injury. NEWS&GUIDE FILE PHOTO / BRADLY J. BONER

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Abbie Moulder’s quest remains the same: to play Division I-A soccer at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif.

However, those dreams were put on hold last month when the Jackson Hole High School star defender tore two knee ligaments during the Class 3A state tournament in Sheridan. Moulder, who was the Class 3A Senior of the Year in the state, is determined to rehabilitate her knee, return to the soccer field and be a factor for St. Mary’s. One thing’s for sure. Moulder is finding plenty of support from her classmates and friends.

“The community has been super-supportive,” she said. “I’m just really surprised how many people have torn their ACLs and they’re fine. It adds a positive light to the future.”

It was hard for Moulder to see that light several weeks ago. She injured her knee during Jackson’s 6-0 win over Torrington in the first round of the state playoffs. Following the game, she returned to the team’s hotel from the hospital. She was surprised to see her teammates had a card, flowers and chocolate waiting for her in an attempt to lift her spirits.

Nonetheless, Moulder had to stand on the sidelines and watch as her team eventually won its third-straight state title. Watching was not easy.

“It was definitely really, really hard,” she said. “I went to every game and wanted to play and be with the girls. When I got back to the hospital, they all gave me a card and flowers and chocolate and said they were going to win it for me. I was so proud of my team to finish what we started.”

Moulder also got support from Saint Mary’s head women’s soccer coach Kai Edwards.

“Once I got hurt, he called me and said I could take a medical redshirt if I keep my grades up,” Moulder said.

Moulder said she also had an offer to play soccer at a Division III school in Minnesota but opted for St. Mary’s instead.

“I like St. Mary’s because it has a beautiful campus,” she said. “I also wanted to play Division I soccer.”

Moulder’s surgery revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament. She also had 40 percent of her lateral meniscus removed.

She said she hopes to be able to get back on the field on a limited basis by January. She has gotten advice from classmates Ellie and Brooke Rice, who have also suffered similar injuries.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Moulder said. “Everyone’s body is different.”

While Moulder wasn’t able to finish the state tournament on the field with her team, she did take home a prestigious award as Class 3A’s Senior of the Year.

That’s not an easy award for a defender to win.

“I was really excited,” she said. “I have always really wanted to have that award. Being able to have it with my injury was surreal. It was just amazing.”