Kyle Miller went to Cornell to become a starting goalie, but now entering his fifth year, he is just happy to be alive and on the field again.

On March 13, Miller was reinstated for his fifth year of eligibility after missing two seasons. Miller sat out the 2003 and 2004 season after he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a form of cancer that affects the bones. But through painful therapy, he’s now the emotional leader of the No. 2 team in the country.

Miller thought he was having shin splints when he began experiencing pain in February 2003. Shortly afterward, the pain became worse, and Miller thought he tore a ligament in his knee. That’s when he heard news that changed his athletic career and his life.

‘As they were looking at my knee, the doctors noticed it was something a lot worse,’ Miller said. ‘Any time you hear the word ‘cancer,’ it’s a complete shock.’

Since the doctors caught the cancer early, the initial prognosis was that Miller would survive, but he most likely would never be able to play lacrosse again. In fact, Miller’s doctor told him he would never be able to walk without a cane after he had surgery to remove the cancer.

Miller said he could not believe what the doctors were telling him because he was not in tremendous pain.

‘I didn’t feel like a cancer patient,’ Miller said. ‘I just said, ‘There’s no way this is going to happen.’ It added to my drive to prove them wrong.’

Miller endured three months of chemotherapy before having surgery to remove 6 inches of his tibia. He said the first three months were relatively easy, but when he underwent three more months of treatment after the surgery, he felt the effects much more.

To survive the tough months, Miller said he had to rely on support from his family and teammates. This support gave him more of a reason to come back to the Cornell lacrosse team last season.

‘The people that helped me get through it are the people that are here,’ Miller said. ‘It’s just good to have people around you that support you.’

Two years after finishing his chemotherapy treatments, Miller still feels the effects from the cancer. He continues physical therapy to try to regain strength in his leg. Miller also had to learn to run a different way because he has trouble lifting his toes to the sky.

Last season Miller returned to the team as a backup goalie behind All-American Matt McMonagle. He played in seven games and only allowed two goals while making seven saves.

Cornell head coach Jeff Tambroni said Miller’s return lifted and brought the entire team together.

‘I think it was a thrill for all of us,’ Tambroni said. ‘It was a tough road for all of us, but the family of Cornell lacrosse bonded together.’

Miller is a backup goalie again this season, but he is not just sitting on the pine watching his teammates succeed as they’ve won their first six games this season.

Tambroni said the goalie situation is ironic at Cornell because the leader is the one who spends most of his time on the sideline.

‘Most starters are admired by their backups but in this case it’s the opposite,’ Tambroni said. ‘As much as (Miller) is a player he is a coach on the field.’

Miller said it was his goal to be a starting goalie for Cornell, and at first he was frustrated by the cancer that took that dream away. But three years after being diagnosed with the disease, Miller has a different view about lacrosse and life.

‘I just wanted to be back with these guys,’ Miller said. ‘I’m lucky and thankful to be alive.’

Duke Scandal

Duke University suspended the rest of this season’s men’s lacrosse games until a legal resolution is made concerning allegations of sexual assault against players, according to a story in The News-Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) on Saturday.

The allegations came from a woman who was hired to dance at a party in a house rented by lacrosse players. Authorities requested DNA samples of 46 players on the team. The incident has caused outrage on the Duke campus with more than 100 protesters gathering outside player’s houses to voice their anger.

The alleged victim said she and another woman were hired to dance for five men at a bachelor party but were surrounded by dozens of men when they arrived.

She said the men barked racial slurs at the dancers, both of whom are black. The two women left the house, but were called back by some of the men, who apologized for saying the racial slurs.

When the woman entered the house again, she was separated from the other dancer. She allegedly was pulled into a bathroom and sexually assaulted by three men.

Durham police took samples from 46 members of the lacrosse team in connection with the alleged incident. Charges have not been filed, but an investigation is underway.

Milestone Win

Bill Tierney earned his 200th career victory as Princeton head coach with a 9-4 win over Butler last Friday. Tierney has won six national titles at Princeton and has a career record of 200-70 for the Tigers.

Power Five

1. Virginia – The Cavaliers’ nine wins are the most in Division I, and they have come against some of the nation’s top teams. Now that Duke is out of the picture, Virginia needs only three more wins to cap off a perfect regular season.

2. Cornell – The Big Red is the only other team without a loss. Cornell has not allowed double-digit goals in a game all season and is second in the nation in scoring defense.

3. Maryland – The Terrapins bounced back from a disappointing loss to Bucknell to win their last three games, including one at North Carolina. On Saturday, Maryland will host No. 1 Virginia in an attempt to take back the top spot in the polls.

4. Hofstra – No team has beaten Hofstra since Feb. 26, even though the Pride has played three teams in the top 15 in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll. Towson is the last ranked opponent on Hofstra’s schedule, so if the Pride survives don’t expect them to lose for the rest of the season.

5. Navy – The top scoring defense in the country gives the Midshipmen the last spot in the power rankings. Georgetown just missed climbing into the rankings but will get its chance on Saturday when the Hoyas travel to Annapolis, Md., to take on Navy.

Published on March 28, 2006 at 12:00 pm