The News Journal
4/25/00
Belanger loss a devastating one for Tigers
by Ed Murphy
Beth Belanger's spectacular high school soccer career ended abruptly last week in Alexis I. duPont's victory over Newark.
The Tigers' high-scoring center-halfback collided with Newark goalie Alexis Bastien and broke her leg in two places - the fibula and the tibia - and will miss the remainder of the season.
"It's disappointing, but I'll be on the sideline supporting my teammates the rest of the year," Belanger said Monday. "I felt it snap as soon as I went down. My leg felt like it was in two pieces. I'm doing a lot better now."
The compound fracture will take more than four months to heal, but Belanger, the 1999 Delaware Player of the Year, expects a complete recovery.
"I was going in one-on-one with the goalie and was ready to take the shot when she tried for the tackle," said Belanger, who has scored 95 goals in the past three years, including 18 in seven games this year. "My leg snapped just above the ankle."
The crushing injury stunned coach Shibaji Chakraborty and the Tigers, who are ranked No. 1 in the state and haven't lost to a Delaware team in the past three years.
"It's definitely a big disappointment," Chakraborty said. "It was, and still is, devastating. We can't replace her.
"The team really united after Beth was hurt. She'll be an additional assistant coach now. I think she'll be a catalyst to incite the team the rest of the way."
Belanger scored a goal before the collision in the first half of the 4-0 win last Wednesday.
"I was concerned about my college career, but I called my [future] coach at the University of Kentucky to tell him about the injury and he said it was no big deal," said Belanger, a three-time All-State performer.
"Knowing the personality of this team, this will make them play harder. The players are upset. But it happened in the middle of the season and now we have to move on and find something positive."
Alexis I. duPont (7-0) has won four straight state team titles. Its only blemish in Delaware is a 1-1 tie with Newark last season.
The Tigers came back to beat William Penn 7-0 last week in their first game without Belanger, who also plays basketball and runs cross country.
"Something was missing in the William Penn game," Chakraborty said. "Beth is one of six seniors and she's a team captian. She's very special. It's a tough loss for our team.
"She's a great leader, but she's very down to earth and modest. Beth is a dynamic player who is very nice and accomodating."