Figueroa Suffers Torn Right ACL and Torn Lateral Meniscus
Stockton, Calif. - The California Cougars place forward Vicente Figueroa on the Inactive-Injured Reserve list for the 2007-08 season after suffering a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament and a torn Meniscus to his right knee. Figueroa suffered the injury while attempting to cut away from the sideline boards against the "Stars of Mexico" on September 29, 2007. Figueroa will rehab the injury for six to eight months after having surgery Wednesday morning.
Figueroa was not hit by anyone he simply said he made a pivot on the turf and felt his knee “pop.” He immediately went down to the carpet and medical personnel quickly made their way to assist him. Figueroa was helped off the field by teammate Gordon Chin and team trainers.
Figueroa was upbeat after the Cougars’ 15–6 win over the "Stars of Mexico."
“The game was good," said Figueroa on Saturday night. “It’s the first one, we trained double sessions and it helped because we are on the same page. We look good; it helps when the young guys know they need to work hard to get a spot on the team.”
However, he was not optimistic about his injury.
“It doesn’t look good right now; I don’t know what to think yet.”
Figueroa scored 16 points in his first four games of the 2006-07 season. But was derailed by an injury to his left knee, keeping him out of action for the Cougars’ next five games. Figueroa returned to the playing field on December 23, 2006, scoring three points in his next two games played. “El Tigre” then ringed in the New Year by launching two three-point goals against the Chicago Storm on January 6, 2007. The first three-pointer was off a restart, the second was the game winner. The Cougars’ used Figueroa’s six points to go on and win their first road game of the year 14-12 over the Storm. He finished the season with 60 points scored in 23 games. His 60 total points were second best on the Cougars’ roster behind Forward Enrique Tovar.
Figueroa was named the MISL Rookie of the Year after the 2005-06 season.