Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

September 3, 2016 will always be a date that resonates in the heart and soul of Hubert Dul.

The Rutgers-Newark soccer midfielder was ready to kick off his senior year. It was expected to be a year to remember for the Scarlet Raiders, so Dul was excited about the prospects.
 
But then, as the Scarlet Raiders faced Babson College in the second game of the season, disaster struck.
 
Dul collided with an opposing defender, who was attempting to make a tackle. The collision caused a serious break to Dul's right ankle and lower leg.
 
"In my head, I heard the snap," Dul said. "It felt like it was broken. It was nothing like I had felt before. I obviously wasn't expecting that."
 
"He was very unlucky last year," Rutgers-Newark head soccer coach Kevin East said. "He's been a rock for the program ever since he's been here."
 
Once Dul underwent surgery to repair the breaks, he thought of one thing. He could redshirt the season and return for another campaign in 2017.
 
"Ever since the surgery, I knew I needed to give it my all to get back," Dul said. "It was kind of tough to get through the rehab, but I knew I could get through it. I always had a positive frame of mind that I could get back out there."
 
"I spoke to him about it (redshirting)," East said. "He told me that it was something he wanted to do. He wanted to finish off his career on a good note."
 
So Dul worked diligently to get back into shape for a true senior farewell.
 
Flash forward a year and Dul is back roaming the midfield for the Scarlet Raiders, who have hopes of returning to the NCAA Division III Elite Eight again this season.
 
"We're really happy that Hubert has been able to recover," East said. "He's one of our captains and he's a leader. Hubert is a workhorse in the midfield. He's a ball winner and gets to those 50/50 balls. He's our biggest guy in the midfield and is good in the air. He has a good presence about him."
 
East was asked about having a fifth-year senior on the roster.
 
"I think having another year of maturity under his belt can't hurt," East said. "He's another year smarter, more mature and stronger. I think having a fifth-year senior is a great thing for us."
 
East said that Dul plays a dual role with the Scarlet Raiders.
 
"I think he's both an offensive and defensive minded midfielder," East said. "We rely on him on the defensive side, but we're hoping to get a little more production out of him scoring."
 
Sure enough, on Sept. 1, almost a year to the date of the injury, Dul showed how much he could help in the offensive attack.
 
Facing Nazareth College in the opening round of the Doug May Classic in Rochester, N.Y., teammate Carlos Castro took a direct free kick into the box.
 
"I'm not really a big scorer," Dul said. "I just happened to find myself in the box. I got a head on it and put it in the back of the net."
 
Almost like a Hollywood ending.
 
"For me, it was a perfect starting point," said Dul, who has also collected three assists in the early going of the season for the 5-0-0 Scarlet Raiders. "I'm looking forward to more games where I'm more of an offensive player."
 
Dul came to R-N after a fine career at nearby Wallington High School, an NJSIAA Group I perennial powerhouse. Many of the Wallington players over the years came from Poland, like Dul, who was born in Poland.
 
"For me, I wanted to get a good education," Dul said. "I also wanted to stay close to home. The soccer team was looking like a good team, one that was on the up with a bright future."
 
Dul was at first a computer science major, but has since switched to information systems. He was able to intern last summer at a pharmaceutical company in Basking Ridge, N.J., doing data analysis. Dul hopes to get a position in the pharmaceutical industry after he graduates in January.
 
But for now, Dul is back on the soccer pitch for the Scarlet Raiders. What could have been a disastrous way to close out a college career has blossomed into a glorious second chance.
 
"We plan on going further this year," Dul said. "It's looking good so far."
 
"Hubert's fantastic," East said. "I enjoy having him with us. We chased him all over recruiting him. He was one of our main targets and he hasn't let us down. He's lived up to expectations. He's always with a great attitude. It was great to get him into our program. He's the total package."