DENVER – University of Denver senior defender Cristiana Behnken (Ogden, Utah) made her return to the Pioneers starting lineup nearly a year after an injury that sidelined her for most of the 2017 season.
 
On August 18, 2017, what seemed like a routine collision from a tackle during a Behnken clearance 2:30 into Denver's season opener against Air Force turned out to be anything but routine. The coaching staff noticed her limping considerably and pulled her off to get looked at by the trainers.
 
Two surgeries and recovery from a staph infection later, Behnken recently sat down with Pioneer Vision's Shane Carney to look back on her path back to head coach Jeff Hooker's starting XI last Thursday.
 


UP NEXT: Denver will return to a pair of familiar Sun Belt Conference destinations this week when the Pioneers make the trip down to Florida to take on Florida Atlantic on Thursday at 5 p.m. MT, before battling FIU Sunday at 10 a.m. MT.  
 
Tickets: Season and single-game tickets are on sale and can be purchased online here, or by calling 303-871-4625.
 
PIONEER MOVEMENT: Fans interested in making a donation to the women's soccer program can do so by clicking here. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.   
 
- Pioneer Together –

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