BUIES CREEK, N.C. — Redshirt junior forward Ashley Clark will start a new chapter in her career with the Campbell Fighting Camels this season, returning to the pitch for the first time since the spring of 2013.

Following her sophomore campaign Clark injured her right knee during a spring match in Winston-Salem against Wake Forest. Clark said a piece of cartilage "popped off" her knee, sidelining her for the 2012-13 season.

In only two seasons, the Cary, N.C. native is already rewriting the record books at Campbell, ranking seventh in program history with 21 goals and eighth with 52 points. She also ranks third in team history with 198 shots behind former Camels Sara Davis and Jenn Stephenson; her 102 shots in 2011 broke the Big South single-season record.

"Coming in as a freshman that was one of my goals, to try and be at the top of every category when I leave," Clark said. "I wanted to make an impact on this team and on this campus, and I wanted to help this team do things it hasn't done in the past.

"That would be a huge accomplishment, and a lot of it has to do with the teammates around me; I couldn't score unless they passed me those balls."

Clark was named to the All-Freshman team in 2011 and earned Big South First Team All-Conference honors in each of her first two seasons. Her skills off the pitch also garnered honors in her sophomore season, claiming a spot on the Big South Presidential Honor Roll

Clark said she participated in off-season activities with her teammates and is ready to take the program to greater heights moving forward.

"Winning the Big South and being able to go play in the NCAAs, that's what we're hoping for," she said. "I have my own goals with trying to lead the Big South, trying to lead this team in goals and whatever I can do to help us win that ring."

Clark credits her motivation and perseverance to her dad and former club coaches Pete Sadin, Doug Shank and Ben Swain. She also considers Mia Hamm and Daniele Fotopoulos as influential soccer professionals that she looked up to as a young soccer player.

Ironically, Clark's father helped pick her current jersey number "9," which now pays homage to Hamm.

"When I was little I used to be number three but when I got a new team I had to pick a new number, and my dad said three times three was nine, so that should be my new number. It has stuck ever since and I haven't had a different number other than nine!"

With first-year coach Stuart Horne taking the reins of the program, the team is looking forward to a fresh start under new leadership.

"With them changing the environment—and changing our locker room—they're making it so we can enjoy time in there rather than just going in there and getting our stuff for practice. They want us to hang out in there as a team, and make it more of a team culture."

As Clark looks to find her stride on the pitch, stepping into a veteran leadership role is a focal point of her junior campaign.

Competition will be encouraged among the squad this season with the combination of veterans, returning underclassmen with playing time under their belt and a solid freshman class.

"I think having those freshmen who did play quite a few minutes last year is going to be really crucial for us," Clark said. "We have two returning goalies that are going to be fighting for the spot, with one freshman coming in. I think those three being so competitive at goalie will make us very good in the net.

"Just being able to put those people who have played three solid years on the field and say 'this is your last go-round' … it's going to be very exciting to watch."