Dryden’s Phillips ready for college debut

Before graduating from Dryden High School last year, Casey Phillips set the boys soccer program’s record with 108 career goals, earning an opportunity to play Division I soccer at Binghamton University. Unfortunately, a torn ACL last July ended his freshman year before it started. Now, just over a month before the season, Phillips has recovered and is ready to play college soccer for the first time.

The talented striker had plenty of momentum going into his freshman season. Not only was he named an All-State player at Dryden as a senior, but he was named an All-American as well (see tinyurl.com/24gnzvp9). He talked about spending his first college season on the sidelines.

“It’s been hard, obviously, especially watching everybody on the field play and not being able to be on the field,” he said. “It’s been difficult. But I’ve been focusing on getting my knee back to where it was and helping the team out as best as I could and really getting my knee back to 110%. That’s where my focus has been.”

Since the injury occurred in July of last year, Phillips was not able to play any preseason games with his new team either.

“It was not something you want to see happen,” he said. “I had surgery the day that preseason was supposed to start. That was just really challenging. But I had a lot of the guys on the team that I haven’t even met before reach out to me. I had a lot of support from a lot of people like my friends, family, everybody that was there.”

Fortunately, Phillips still had the experience of being a college athlete as he was very close to the team. He attended practices and nearly every game.

“I would say I’m just as close as I would be if I was playing,” Phillips said. “All the guys have been very welcoming as a freshman coming in. I still went to every team game every time we traveled, except for the overnights, which we only had one. Other than playing-wise, it really didn’t feel any different. I felt totally welcomed by everybody.”

One positive thing to come out of the experience was that Phillips was able to focus more on his academics than he would have otherwise, preparing him for the years to come.

“It was definitely a load off my shoulders that I didn’t have to focus on juggling right away as soon as I got to college,” Phillips said. “It was not as challenging, but at the same time, I was still trying to get my knee back to where it was. Every time the team was practicing, I was either out on the field with them doing my own stuff or in the training room just doing recovery for my knee.”

In terms of recovery, Phillips feels better than ever. He’s now putting the finishing touches on his rehab process and getting used to the feel of soccer once again.

“I would say I am as healthy as I’ve ever been,” Phillips said. “I’ve been working this offseason. I’m really putting effort into my training. I’ve been getting as much practice and on-the-ball touches and getting in shape as best I possibly can since then. My knee’s really been feeling great, and I’m ready to get back on the field.”

Phillips was given one-on-one attention by Binghamton in his rehab process and was able to take part in non-contact games and drills by the end of the spring season. He’s now cleared for contact and is thankful to have been at a program with the resources that Binghamton has to help him get back into form.

“I definitely had a lot more services here that helped me out,” Phillips said. “The trainers, coaches and even the teammates were all very supportive. Early on, when I was in crutches and still struggling to get around campus, I had guys that would be willing to drive me up to the dorm or something, and it was really convenient because there was a while where the guys were out training and I was in either the rehab center just strengthening my knee with the trainer and team doctor. It was very helpful and got my knee back to where I needed it.”

Being a Division I athlete has been a lifelong goal for Phillips. That goal of stepping on the field with the team is now within reach, and he talked about what he misses most about the sport he’s dedicated his life to.

“Just touching the ball and the competitiveness,” he said. “I’ve always been a competitive person. It’s just been a part of the game that I’ve always loved is the competitiveness. I just really miss playing the game that I love that I grew up playing. I’m looking forward to getting back out on the field.”

The first regular season game for Phillips and the Bearcats will take place Aug. 25 in Virginia. About a week after that, on Sept. 2, he’ll play in his first home game, which will certainly have plenty of family and friends in attendance.

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