Women’s soccer forward Michelle Gosselin ’07 is out for the season with a cracked vertebrae.

“I really want to be a part of the team,” Gosselin said. “I don’t want to be away from the team — this is really hard for me.”

Gosselin first felt discomfort early this summer. Doctors discovered the crack after an MRI and told her there was a chance she might be able to play through the injury. Gosselin continued practicing through June and then took July off in hopes of being ready for the fall season. But the pain proved too much, and Gosselin realized she would have to sit this one out. Gosselin had a strong rookie season last year, appearing in all 17 games. She tied for the third most goals on the team with two.

Gosselin said the team has the talent to win without her, pointing to its 2-0 record with seven goals scored and one goal allowed in those first two games.

“[The team] is going to be awesome this year with or without me,” Gosselin said.

Head coach Rudy Meredith said the team has lost a talented and tough player for the season.

“We’re not going to be as deep,” Meredith said. “It’s one less forward.”

Meredith went on to say that he has no doubts about Gosselin’s eventual return.

“She’s one of the hardest working kids on the team,” Meredith said. “I’m not worried about her work ethic coming back.”

For now, Gosselin will watch from the sidelines. Time and rest are the only remedies for her beleaguered back. Gosselin said she will definitely petition the Ivy League to redshirt for a fifth year of eligibility.

“She’s got to petition the Ivy League,” Meredith said. “But there’s no guarantee she’ll get it.”

If the petition is successful, Gosselin will have to take a semester off from academic studies in order to comply with Yale’s immovable rule that all undergraduates graduate in eight semesters.

Gosselin said she would probably take off the spring semester of her senior year, and then come back the next fall to play her fourth and final season.

“I really want to play my fourth season,” Gosselin said. “But if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.”

For now, Gosselin can sit on the bench during home games, but will have to drive herself to away games. Once she is officially off the roster, Yale will not be permitted to spend money on her training and transportation, she said.

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