Whatever doubt Marley Wilkins had after returning from a season-ending leg injury a year ago was quickly squelched.

Radford's sophomore striker is leaving no question she is back to form. As of Saturday, her seven goals on the season leads all girls' Division II scorers.

As a freshman last year, Wilkins was enjoying a strong start, having scored in every game, including preseason, before she broke her right leg during the second game of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White season against Waipahu.

"It was a 50-50 ball between me and the goalie," Wilkins recalled. "I had one more step, but she rolled at the last second. When the goalie rolled, she took my leg out and I rolled over, but my leg was pinned under (her). Right there, it snapped."

While the Rams lost their force in scoring, all Wilkins could do was wait for next year. She was on crutches for several months before beginning rehabilitation in February.

"To have it all end in just one second, it was really hard," Wilkins said

But being fully healed did not necessarily mean she would be the same player. Her fears ended in this year's season opener against Waipahu, the same team she suffered her injury. In a game that ended in a 3-3 tie, Wilkins scored two goals. Against the same goalie she faced last season.

"It was like a curse got lifted because I was really, really scared to go full-on into the goalie," Wilkins said. "Once I scored, it was 'OK, I can do this. I'm back.'"

While Wilkins wasn't sure of her confidence until her first goal, her coach had no doubts. Ian Onizuka named Wilkins one of the captains, despite her being just a sophomore.

"She's very coachable," Onizuka said. "She takes that knowledge and uses it on the field."

Surprisingly, she is relatively new to the sport, Onizuka said.

"She has no club experience," he said. "She's very raw in sense."

Wilkins has accepted her leadership role.

"He expects me to be a leader of the team," Wilkins said. "It's a lot of pressure, but I think it helps me become better. It's a good motivator."

With their 3-0 win at McKinley Saturday, the Rams improved to 3-0-2 to maintain their lead in the OIA White West.

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