GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Coming back from an off-season knee injury suffered in the spring has been a long journey for Green Bay women's basketball senior Heather Golden (De Pere, Wis.). A journey she is all too familiar with.

This past May, Golden suffered a patella dislocation in her right knee after having the same injury in the summer of 2006. In February 2009, Golden suffered a patella sublaxation in her left knee, forcing her to miss the final four games of the regular season.

Though Golden's most recent journey was long and frustrating at times, any pain she still feels disappeared when she checked into Green Bay's game against Southeast Missouri on Dec. 10 with 2:58 remaining.

"It was kind of surreal checking into the game and saying my name, the people at the scorers' table looked at me with disbelief," said Golden. "My knee is still sore but when I step between those lines there's so much else going on to distract me from it."

As Golden entered the game for Hannah Quilling (Eau Claire, Wis.) the 1,730 fans in the Kress Events Center greeted her with a much-deserved standing ovation. "I didn't expect a standing ovation but it just shows the love and support our fans have for each and every one of us," Golden said.

No. 23/17 Green Bay beat Southeast Missouri State 74-40 as Golden tallied an assist on the final bucket of the game. The 17th-consecutive regular-season win for the Phoenix was great, but there was so much more to smile about when the final buzzer sounded.

"I love that girl, she's awesome and I was so happy for her because I know how hard she's worked and the struggles she's gone through with knee injuries," said a tearful Celeste Hoewisch (Hortonville, Wis.) after the game. "It was just nice to have her back on the floor with us," added Julie Wojta (Mishicot, Wis.).

Through the ups and downs, Golden's dad, Mike, has always reminded her to keep her chin up. As a constant reminder, Golden has it written on her shoes and continues to accept her role. After playing in last year's starting lineup for Green Bay, Golden knows her role during her final collegiate season is much different.

"I'm not expecting to play 30 or even 25 minutes but if I can give the girls a quick minute or two break here or there I'd be satisfied with that," said Golden. "I'm just looking to help the team in any way I can."

Golden's knee will never be back to what it once was and she more than likely won't get back to playing the minutes she once did. But on Dec. 10 with 2:58 remaining she did get something back, her smile.

"The first time I really saw her smile this year was when she got in the game," said Mike Golden. "It was the best medicine she could have, it really meant a lot to her."