Just four games into its season, the men's soccer team has already lost a big chunk of its midfield to injury.Kevin Murphy '09, Alex Ball '09 and Tyler Morrill '10-all season-opening starters for the Judges-have suffered injuries in the team's first four games.

They join reserve midfielders Jamie Batista '10 and Justin Joyce '10, who was already declared lost for the season, on the sidelines, depleting coach Mike Coven's lineup very early in the season.

"[Ball, Batista, Murphy and Morrill] are my strongest, most aggressive ball winners," Coven said.

"They win everything in the air; they clean up. These guys do the dirty work, and they do it well. Without these four guys, it's thrown [the team's] whole balance off."

Murphy suffered a calf injury in the Judges' second game of the season, a 3-1 win against Babson College Sept. 4, while Morrill suffered his concussion in the next game, a 3-1 loss to the Wentworth Institute of Technology Sept. 6.

Ball didn't even last that long, dislocating his shoulder in the season-opening draw against Endicott College Sept. 1, while Batista and Joyce have yet to play this season after suffering a torn quadriceps muscle and hamstring injuries, respectively, in the preseason.

Coven said Monday that Morrill's concussion, the sixth of his soccer career, has ended both his season and his soccer career.

Morrill sat down with Coven and his family last weekend, and they all decided that it would be too dangerous for him play competitive soccer again.

"[Morrill's injury] is a tragedy," Coven said. "He was only a sophomore, and was one of our better players. He had a whole career ahead of him."

Coven said a return date has not been set for Murphy, Batista, and Ball, calling them "day to day."

Murphy said he was very disappointed about his situation.

"I've played with [these guys] for the last three years. They're like brothers," he said. "To sit on the sidelines and watch-it's one of the most frustrating things I've done."

Ball said he is optimistic that he, Murphy and Batista will return within the next few weeks, but Coven is treating the injuries with caution.

"I'd love to have them back as soon as possible, [but] health is the most important thing," Coven said.

Ball and Morrill have sustained significant injuries before this season.

Ball had surgery on his right shoulder last December, while Morrill most recent concussion occurred last season.

As a result, the Judges have been forced to rely on many untested players at midfield, one of the team's most important positions.

Second-year midfielders Mike Silberstein '10 and Alex Zenerovitz '10 have seen their roles increase, and Coven has also used a number of rookies off the bench.

Nick Howard '11, who has filled in for Morrill as the defensive midfielder, has impressed teammates with his quick emergence.

"Nick has shown some real potential," Ball said. "He's played with composure."

Howard said he has benefited from this unexpected situation.

"There's no substitute for actual game time," he said. "When we have the chance to go in, we have to play hard. We have to try to keep up the level [of play] of the upperclassmen."

Still, Coven said the midfield instability could be detrimental to the team.

"My philosophy as a coach has always been that games are won or lost in the middle of the field," Coven said. "If your team can dominate the middle third of the field, then you're going to win the match."

There is stability, however, up front with forwards Ben Premo '09 and Corey Bradley '10, as well as in the back with senior defenders David Weinstein '08, Brett Fitzgerald '08 and Joe Levitan '08.

For the Judges to improve upon their 1-1-2 record, they will have to count on younger players to continue to improve their on-field chemistry.

"We want to develop a rhythm where the ball flows freely up the field and we play attractive soccer," Coven said. "It hasn't happened yet."

Coven, though, is confident the replacements can help contribute to a postseason berth.

"We're going to win our games," he said, "I like this team. They work hard, [have a] good personality and [have] good leadership."

The Judges next play at home against Wheaton College Wednesday at 7 p.m.

A game against Albertus Magnus College Monday ended too late for this edition.


-Mike Prada contributed reporting.