Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Goad Returns For FAU
3/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 7, 2001
Bob Gosman
Boca Raton News
For many college basketball players, practice is a grind once the newness of the season wears off.
For freshman point guard Julie Goad, Monday's practice was a little slice of heaven.
Goad, who was a four-year star at Twin Lakes High School in basketball crazed Indiana, returned to practice after missing the past six weeks with a stress fracture in her right foot.
I was so excited for practice," Goad said. "I was even looking forward to the hard stuff that I normally don't like."
Goad's return to the court comes at a particularly fortuitous time for FAU because last Tuesday Owls point guard Chantale Jones suffered her third concussion within the past year.
FAU coach Chancellor Dugan said there only is a very slim chance that Jones will be able to play during the Trans America Athletic Conference Tournament.
The Owls (9-18, 2-2) play Mercer (5-22, 2-16) at about 8:30 pm Wednesday at UCF Arena in a first-round game.
During the past two games, shooting guard LaTorria Matthews has handled the point guard responsibilites.
Although Goad is not 100 percent yet, her presence will allow Matthews to play shooting guard for at least some of the game.
"She'll be able to step in and help us," Dugan said.
Goad said that although it's been hard not playing the game, she has learned a lot about the game just by watching.
"I've seen a lot of things from the bench that we weren't doing," she said. "I've been watching in practice, and I think I can see a lot more things."
As for FAU's other injured point guard, Jones simply is trying to contribute in any way that she can.
"I watch practice and try to entertain them by doing things to make them laugh," Jones said.
FAU's point guard situation this year has been anything but a laughing matter. However, Goad's return is sure to put a smile on Dugan's face.
"She can handle the ball, make the good pass and hit free throws down the stretch," she said. "She's worked hard and is ready to go."