The lesson was grueling yet meaningful —one that Marina Manzo will never forget.
It was the fall of 2015 and Manzo was in the early stages of her second season as goalkeeper for the University of Detroit Mercy women's soccer team. She came onto the scene in 2014 with an impressive freshman campaign — 19 starts, 80 saves, seven shutouts and a goals-against average of 1.06 — ready to take the next leap on the pitch.
But an ankle injury had other ideas and, after five games, Manzo's 2015 season in the red, white and blue had come to a halt.
Having to watch the remainder of the season from the sidelines, unable to join her teammates, was eye-opening for the Washington Township, Michigan, native.
"I really forgot how much soccer had meant to me," Manzo said.
From thereon, the switch clicked for Manzo and with three years of eligibility remaining, she came back healthy and better than ever for Detroit Mercy
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Manzo won the Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year honors twice, in 2016 and 2018, and cemented herself as one of the best goalies in program history.
She ended her collegiate career as Detroit Mercy's leader in shutouts (26) and finished second in saves (370), goals-against average (1.18), save percentage (.797) and wins (33) and sixth in saves per game (4.68).
"I came back my junior year and never looked back," Manzo said. "I know what it's like to feel like I don't have anything. I would rather keep working and working so I never have to deal with that ever again, because that was the worst."
Manzo picked up soccer at the age of eight and after a brief trial at forward, a home between the pipes felt natural.
"I just started hitting balls back and forth and I was just good at it," Manzo said. "I had a natural talent for it. It felt like home being in the goal."
It didn't take long for Manzo to soar in net. She starred on the prep scene at Romeo High School, winning team MVP honors in each of her four seasons while earning an All-District spot three times. Manzo also spent five years with Vardar, a premier club soccer team in Michigan, winning the state cup and advancing to the ECNL Nationals two years in a row.
Both opportunities prepared Manzo to have an instant impact for Detroit Mercy.
During her time in the red, white and blue, Manzo was part of a stellar defense, which helped the Titans reach the Horizon League Championship finals in 2014 as well as a pair of semifinal appearances in 2016 and 2018.
Manzo ended her collegiate career with a historic stretch as the Titans posted a school-record six straight shutouts from Oct. 9-29 this past fall. She helped lead a team that was picked to finish out of postseason play to claim fifth and get an upset road victory at fourth-seeded Wright State, 1-0, to reach the semifinals.
"When I step on the field, I want to change the game," Manzo said. I feel I can completely change the game by my presence in the goal."
With her time at Detroit Mercy in the books, Manzo, who will graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice in May, has her eyes set on a professional soccer career.
Manzo works out three times a day. Running, lifting weights and practicing with all sorts of soccer players is part of her vigorous routine. She also adheres to a strict non-processed diet.
The opportunity to play at the next level is one that excites Manzo.
"I hope to just go anywhere and play the sport. How awesome would that be, getting paid to play the sport you love" Manzo said. "I know in this sport, I can take it to the next level. I really would like to see how far I can go with this."
