Northwestern University Athletics
Will Nicholas Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury
10/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 4, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill.-- Northwestern senior midfielder Will Nicholas (Orefield, Pa./Parkland) sustained a season-ending knee injury in the win over Loyola last Wednesday, Sept. 27 and will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee on Tuesday.
"We are really sad to hear the news about Will, especially knowing all that he has gone through to rehab each of the past three years," head coach Tim Lenahan said. "Will was blessed with an unbelievable heart, but he wasn't as fortunate with the rest of his body. The team's thoughts are with him. That being said, we have to find a way to make up for his absence and leadership on the field.
"Two years ago when Will had his leg broken, Brad North emerged as a starter and became an all-Big Ten performer. I am confident that someone will take this opportunity to help the team and we can continue our success of the first half of the season. We have a difficult assignment with Valpo today as they are one the leading attacking teams in the nation."
This is Nicholas' third ACL injury in addition to a broken leg sustained his sophomore season in 2004 against Evansville. He suffered his first ACL tear to his left knee during his senior year at Parkland High School in Orefield, Pa. After the broken leg in 2004, his past two seasons have been cut short with ACL injuries to his right knee on both occasions.
He had his best season in 2004 when he recorded three goals and three assists in only nine matches that season. In 42 career matches he has a total of seven goals and three assists from his defensive midfield position. His freshman year saw him score regular season goals against Penn State, Duke and Ohio State. His goal in the Big Ten Tournament against Michigan in 2003 led the Wildcats to a stunning upset over the eventual NCAA Elite Eight participant.
Northwestern's record over the past three seasons with Nicholas in the lineup was 16-3-1, leaving little doubt about the leadership and competitiveness he brought to the Northwestern lineup.
