BANGOR – The Husson College women’s soccer team will be without 2006 North Atlantic Conference Player of the Year Shelby (Pickering) Bradford.

Bradford, who had 27 goals and 11 assists while playing in 21 of 22 games last fall after transferring from the University of Maine, will be sidelined for six to eight weeks after having surgery on her left foot a week and a half ago.

The junior, who is the captain of the soccer team, had a metal pin inserted into her foot.

Bradford also starred for the women’s basketball team before breaking the fifth metatarsal bone in her left foot in a basketball game against Castleton State last January. She was sidelined until March.

“It was never 100 percent and I broke it again this summer playing soccer,” explained Bradford who is wearing a walking boot and is on crutches.

She said she also has an apparatus to “stimulate my bone growth.

“I wish I was playing but I’m glad I got this taken care of. I have some years left. It’s not like I’m done,” said Bradford, who should be completely recovered in time for the basketball season.

If Bradford doesn’t return for the soccer campaign, she will still have two years of eligibility remaining.

Student-athletes are allowed five years in which to complete four years of eligibility.

Husson women’s soccer coach Keith Bosley called Bradford’s loss a “big one” and noted that in addition to her talent and physical presence, she is also an on-field leader.

He would like to have her back this fall but said it may be in her best interest to redshirt.

“Why have her come back and play a month when she can return and play two more [full] seasons?,” said Bosley.

Bradford is in a five-year occupational therapy program at Husson.

Bosley, who guided the 17-4-1 Eagles to a NAC championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament last fall, said the Eagles have some quality returning scorers who will help fill the void left by Bradford’s absence in junior standouts Katie Nickerson and Samantha Homer and he added that they have some impressive newcomers.

Bradford said she can still swim, bike and lift weights to stay in shape while her foot heals and she will be reevaluated next month.

In addition to her soccer exploits, the former Lee Academy star was having a great year in basketball before sustaining her original injury.

She was second in the North Atlantic Conference in scoring (17.2 points per game), and led the conference in field goal percentage (.576) and free throw percentage (.833). She was second in steals per game (4) and eighth in rebounds (7.3 per game).

She was chosen to the Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches’ All-State All-Rookie team.

Shelby Bradford married Husson College basketball player Brock Bradford in July.