There’s no denying that injuries can cripple a team’s season. When a veteran goes down, it leaves a vacancy typically filled by an inexperienced reserve. Ultimately, the part-time player’s grasp of the increased workload determines the team’s ability to continue playing at a high level.
Such a situation has crept up on the Boston University men’s soccer team (6-5-0, 1-1-0 America East), which plays host to Penn State University (4-5-2) tomorrow afternoon at Nickerson Field. Forward Petur Sigurdsson and goalkeeper Hrafn Davidsson were injured in practice Monday and Tuesday, respectively, forcing BU coach Neil Roberts to start sophomore Joe Cullaro in net Wednesday night, while a host of forwards were awarded minutes in light of Sigurdsson’s absence.
Evidenced by his deliberate recovery from offseason groin surgery and Monday’s sprained ankle, Sigurdsson’s expected role as a consistent scorer hasn’t come to fruition this season. To his credit, the junior has managed to rack up seven points in nine appearances, trailing only freshman forward Aaron O’Neal (11) and junior midfielder Neil Hlavaty (8) in scoring.
The fact remains that certain players have benefited greatly from Sigurdsson’s injury-marred season. Has there been a particular player who has cashed in on the opportunity more than the others?
“Probably Aaron,” Roberts said. “Now Pete’s gonna have to get minutes from Aaron. Right now, our two strikers are Aaron and [sophomore forward] Shaun [Taylor]. Aaron’s gotten this opportunity and done really well with it. We’re happy for him.
“Aaron’s a good player. He listens well, he learns well and he keeps things very simple. Some players try to complicate things, but Aaron keeps it simple and because of that he’s got five goals right now. He’s very smooth, very easy to play with and he makes good runs to open up space for people.”
Like O’Neal, Cullaro now has an opportunity to play on a consistent basis due to Davidsson’s foot injury. After shutting out the University of Maine in his first career start Wednesday night, Cullaro will get the nod tomorrow against a Nittany Lion offense that’s registered 15 goals in 11 matches.
After Wednesday’s three-save shutout performance, Roberts acknowledged Cullaro could earn more starts as the season progresses – with or without a healthy Davidsson. As the incumbent starter aims for a return to the lineup this coming Wednesday at the University at Albany, it’s not unreasonable to expect a goalkeeping controversy in the not so distant future.
Regardless of how the situation plays out, Cullaro said his relationship with Davidsson remains both competitive and good-natured.
After serving as an observer for more than two years, Cullaro is looking forward to backstopping the Terriers and sparking the consistent play that’s eluded BU all season.
“We have a great team,” Cullaro said. “As long as we don’t make stupid mistakes, we’ll be fine.”
Led by scoring savant Jason Yeisley (team-best 16 points), the Penn State attacking unit features four multi-goal scorers to accompany its veteran keeper, Conrad Taylor (1.54 GAA, .700 save percentage).
Roberts, who guided the Terriers to a 1-1 tie against the Nittany Lions last Sept. 10 in the Penn State Nike Classic, believes tomorrow’s matchup will be a significant test for his talented but occasionally undisciplined defense.
“Penn State’s a very good attacking team with very talented players,” he said. “I was disappointed in the second half [of Wednesday’s game] that we didn’t keep it clean. There were a few balls bouncing around the box that shouldn’t have been bouncing around the box.”