Port Boys Lax Starter Talks About His Season-ending Injury

Richard Greenberg had nine goals and three assists in five games. In the sixth, he scored two more and had an assist. And then he went down.

Greenberg tore his ACL on April 4 against Oceanside, and is planning a recovery in the next seven months.

Dan Miranda: Describe the injury, from your perspective.

Richard Greenberg: I was riding and pushing a guy towards the sideline, and I planted my left leg down but then the kid rolled back but my left cleat got stuck in the turf. I fell over my leg and felt the pop and then I heard the snap.

DM: What was the reaction of the team?

RG: They were all just trying to be positive about what happened, especially Jake Froccaro and Jesse Kaplan. They just tried to confront me and let me know it would be alright, no matter what happened. They wished me the best of luck for my MRI the next day.

DM: Were you planning on playing lacrosse at the next level, and did the injury affect your college search?

RG: I am planning on playing at the next level and I am still being recruited by a bunch of schools. It has affected me because I was planning on playing this summer with the club team, For the Love of the Game, and now I will no longer be able to do so. Now, instead of college coaches coming to watch me play, they’ll have to look at my tapes. It does put me at a disadvantage, but we’re not sure how it’s going to play out.

DM: Who do you think has stepped in your place?

RG: I think that Joey Froccaro and Derek Caruso have done a great job at the midfield position ever since my injury. Joey has been scoring much more and been a real difference maker. Derek was bumped up to the starting lineup and has been making the most of his opportunities, especially in the Farmingdale game in which he scored a hat track.

DM: Has the injury taught you anything in particular?

RG: Yeah. First of all, it taught me how life could change extremely quickly. I also learned how to focus my attention on things other than sports since I can’t play another seven months. I also realized how supportive my friends and family were even in such a rough time. They have been helping me get through this and been making me feel much better.

DM: How has the new coaching staff come together with the players?

RG: I feel like Rooney is a great fit for our team. We have a close bond with him and he is a guy that we get along with and like very much. Coach Condella and Coach Neil are guys who have been with us in the past. They have continued to do a great job, and the kids on the team get along with them very well.

DM: Lastly, if you had to pick one word to describe the team this season, what would it be and why?

RG: I’m going to go with "exciting" because we have a new coach and a new system that has been working for us so far. The guys on the team have come together and we have become more and more like a family. We are excited about the opportunities we will have in the playoffs and feel like we can make a run at the county championship. It’s going to take a lot of work, but I think that we are up to the challenge.

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The team is 5-6 (3-3 in conference) overall and will take on Syosset Tuesday afternoon at the turf at 4:30.

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