Junior forward Reese Miller will “likely” miss the remainder of the season with a non-contact injury sustained during Friday’s game at Wake Forest, Coach George Gelnovatch said Wednesday.
“We’re still waiting on all the medical stuff,” Gelnovatch said at his media availability. “But it’s likely he’s out for the season.”
Miller crumpled to the turf in the first half Friday and eventually hobbled off supported by two people. The injury seemed immediately devastating.
Miller had been pressing forward after a clearance, tracking the ball, which had bounced toward a retreating Wake Forest center back. The center back passed to a teammate, and Miller started to change direction. Then he collapsed mid-stride, and his hands instantly grasped his knee.
The referee beckoned medical staff onto the field. Three nearby teammates placed their hands on their heads. Gelnovatch walked slowly onto the field, eyes cast down, hands on hips.
“Gosh, we hate to see that,” Gelnovatch said Wednesday.
The silver lining, though scant consolation, is that the injury happened early enough in the season that Miller, according to Gelnovatch, should qualify for a medical redshirt. That would grant him a further year of eligibility, leaving him two more seasons beyond this one.
Earlier in the game, he had scored his third goal of the season in the first five games, elevating himself into a tie atop the team’s goal-scoring standings. Gelnovatch called his injury a “big loss.”
“[Miller is] one of our most dangerous attacking players,” he said.
The Cavaliers now confront a gaping void ahead of a Saturday night matchup at California. They have attacking options, plenty of them, just perhaps none with Miller’s unshakable composure. Someone will have to step up.
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