SEATTLE — There was little anyone could do to slow Becca Schoales on the soccer field.

That is, until knee injuries threatened to derail a promising career.

Schoales, a 2013 South Kitsap graduate, missed her final high school season when she tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. That feeling returned late during her freshman season at the University of Washington — this time in her right knee.

She was fearful that further setbacks might cost her another season. Instead, Schoales said doctors at University of Washington Medical Center told her the ligament was partially torn and recommended rest. She received good news when she was examined a month later.

“The fibers grew back,” Schoales said. “It was kind of a miracle.

“With the great doctors here they were able to nurse me back to health and get me on the field for this season.”

While Schoales was able to work out during the spring, she experienced some of the same frustrations as her freshman season. She could not work out last winter and when she was cleared to practice in spring, a bulky brace limited some of the explosiveness and power that enabled Schoales to become a national-level recruit at South. She committed to the Huskies in December 2011 over the University of North Carolina.

“The brace was definitely hindering [my speed],” Schoales said. “I felt like I needed to get it off.”

In an effort to keep Schoales healthy, UW coach Lesle Gallimore said she has limited her minutes. In turn, Schoales said she feels the best since her junior year of high school.

“After doing a lot of fitness over the winter and getting touches on the ball, it’s a world of difference,” she said. “I feel like I’m getting better and getting back to where I was.”

Schoales acknowledged she was frustrated last season as she struggled with inconsistency — she said her first practice felt like she had “two left feet” — and not being a regular in the starting lineup after scoring 41 goals in three seasons at South.

“She didn’t play for almost 18 months at one point,” Gallimore said. “She came in last year and had some good moments and some bad moments. It was a bit inconsistent.”

Gallimore said she believes Schoales matured from the experience.

“She’s really fought hard to keep her attitude good,” she said. “Becca’s attitude has been night and day from last year as far as being hard on herself.

“She was off for so long and she wanted it back right away. That kind of played with her head for a while.”

Gallimore also said Schoales has played more physical this season. Many athletes have said they are tentative after returning from knee surgery because they fear re-injuring themselves.

“I think she’s getting rid of some of the fear of contact she had after injuries,” Gallimore said. “She’s definitely a lot more physically able to battle in games than she has been in the past. I think that bodes well for her down the line.”

Schoales has three goals — and narrowly missed another Oct. 20 on a diving save by Oregon State goalkeeper Bella Geist.

“You see her movement off the ball and you’re starting to see flashes of what Becca Schoales used to be able to do,” Gallimore said. “I really do think she’s got a huge upside and a lot in her future for us.”

That could come as soon as next season.

“She’s looking at Jaclyn [Softli] and Kate [Bennett] right now and those are two seniors,” said Gallimore, referring to the Huskies’ leading scorers. “I think she’s the kind of kid that wants it on her shoulders. She wants to be the goal scorer for our team.

“She’s got that kind of swag.”

For now, Schoales is just enjoying this season. After finishing with a losing record last year, UW entered this week 5-2-1 in Pac-12 play. That record placed the Huskies in a third-place tie with Washington State. The cross-state rivals play at 1 p.m. Nov. 7 to conclude the season.

What a difference a year makes.

“It feels great because we’re a winning team this year,” Schoales said. “We’re all really behind what we’re doing here.”