Back on his feet

Catchpole. ???While the name itself might seem harmless to many, the player behind the name strikes fear into anyone in his path on the soccer field.

???Senior forward Lee Catchpole hailing from Norwich, England. He came to Buffalo as a freshman in 2004 from Bungay High School. ???While he loves his homeland, Catchpole prefers his new home in Getzville, N.Y. The transition from England to Buffalo was tough but Catchpole felt that joining the Bulls was a great way to meet people.

???"It's tough at times, but that's why I play a team sport," he said. "You have people that you can lean on." ???Not only did he have to adjust to living in an entirely different country, Catchpole had to deal with an entirely different style of play.

???"There is a huge difference between American and English soccer," he said. "Soccer players here in America are much more athletic. The players seem to spend more time on the ball [in England], while [in the United States] they want to get it off of their foot."

???Even though it was difficult getting settled at first, Catchpole immediately loved living in the United States.

???"Money goes further here and the food is better. Bigger proportions are really good," he said. ???Before coming to Buffalo, Catchpole participated in the World University Games in the summer of 2005. Lee's father, who he says is his greatest influence, drove all the way from Norwich to Turkey for the games. ???"My dad drove me to every game and never missed one until I came over here for school," Catchpole said. "He's come out here twice now to watch me play as well."

???During his freshman season, Catchpole made an immediate impact on the team. He started all 11 games he appeared in and finished the season as both the leading goal scorer, with six goals overall, and the leading point scorer with 14. ???He was also voted the Top Newcomer by the coaching staff, despite missing nine games due to an ankle injury. This acclimated rookie year lead to even higher expectations for his sophomore campaign. ???Catchpole's sophomore season did not disappoint. Racking up 24 points in another injury-shortened season, playing in only 16 games, Catchpole was named an All-Mid-American Conference second team selection and the offensive MVP in the UB Fall Classic that year. ???Catchpole's junior season was probably one of his biggest disappointments. He played in all 19 games for the first time of his career, starting in 15 games. However, he scored the lowest point output of his career as well, managing only six points.

???During the season, Catchpole managed to add two goals onto his career tally that season, putting him in a tie for 9th in career goal scoring at Buffalo with 17 goals.

???With high expectations of improvement heading into his senior season, Catchpole suffered a preseason injury that turned out to be more serious than his previous two.

???Instead of keeping Catchpole out for up to nine games, this one, a ligament tear in his right elbow, required surgery. Lee was then red-shirted for the entire 2007 season.

???"Its hard when you have an injury like that," Catchpole said. "It's tough to get going again."

???It took about six months for Catchpole to fully heal. He was able to participate in spring soccer, getting him ready for his final season in blue and white. ???Catchpole believes that this season will be his true farewell, as he is focused on playing hard and scoring and not on his past injuries.

???It's hard not to believe Catchpole. He is a rather focused player, especially when he's preparing to take on another team. Come game day, Lee is in his own world preparing mentally for the challenges to come. Before each game, he quietly listens to music, which ranges from Coldplay, his favorite band, to Jay-Z. ???"Yeah, maybe a bit of Jay-Z to get me going in that kind of mood," Catchpole said. ???He has also stayed true to the same pre-game ritual since high school. He places his right cleat on first, and then the left. It's his lucky rock.