Injuries are always inevitable in sports that are out of everyone’s control. They’re typically minor setbacks for larger comebacks, but not necessarily in this case.
Meet Anthony Fridlikh, senior goalie for the men’s club lacrosse team here at SUNY Cortland. Fridlikh and the rest of the team was amped up for the season to start until news broke that would end not just his season but his final opportunity to ever play competitively again.
Fridlikh is an international studies major from Staten Island and has devoted much of his time to the game of lacrosse. Fridlikh had only been playing since his sophomore year of high school, only recently picking up the sport.
Throughout his time in high school Fridlikh would win multiple state championships as the starting goalie. He wouldn’t start his college career with Cortland however, as he would transfer from the College of Staten Island his sophomore year.
Fridlikh would credit much of his success from one of his coaches Chris Gerlach from his hometown, as he would volunteer his own time to work with Fridlikh in order to improve his play. If it weren’t for Coach Geralch he wouldn’t have earned his starting spot for his varsity highschool team.
But while his senior year was happening, Fridlikh would suffer a minor MCL tear while making a save during a game. The injury would be undiagnosed at the time as he was able to play through it. It wouldn’t be until college where it would become an issue.
As Fridlikh would continue to play for the club team at SUNY Cortland, his condition would only get worse and would eventually see a doctor about it this season. He would have season ending surgery and since he is graduating, this would be the final opportunity he has to ever play for the Red Dragons.
If Fridlikh were to ever play at a pro level again, it would be with a men’s amateur league back in Staten Island.
Although this has been a huge setback for Fridlikh to not be able to play, he is very satisfied with how his time in Cortland has gone, as he has made lifelong connections with every teammate he’s played with and every coach guiding him throughout the way.