Injured senior goalkeeper to miss three to four weeks

When the men's soccer team faces No. 2 Penn State this weekend, the Hoosiers won't have their mainstay senior goalkeeper T.J. Hannig on the field.\nHannig will have surgery today to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee. The injury occurred during practice Tuesday.\nThe team's trainer, Joe Lueken, said Hannig would be out for three to four weeks. Hannig said Thursday he's hoping to return by Oct. 18, when the team plays Kentucky.\nHannig injured his knee as he moved to make a save during practice. His left leg got caught under him as he moved, and he overrotated his knee.\nJunior Colin Rogers will start as goalkeeper for IU tonight against Penn State and will replace Hannig until he is healthy again, coach Jerry Yeagley said. Sophomore Matt Reiswerg and freshman Jay Nolly will serve as backups. The Hoosiers will travel to games with three goalies, Yeagley said.\n"We have to go forward and can't make excuses," he said. "It's unfortunate that it's the goalie and whom I consider the nation's best. We have all the confidence in the world in Colin and hope he'll step up with the opportunity."\nHannig had an MRI Wednesday night and learned he would need surgery Thursday. He played every minute of IU's nine games this season. His goals-against-average is 1.21, and the Hoosiers haven't allowed a goal in their last three games.\n"I'm real disappointed, but you've got to look to the positive side of everything," said Hannig, who walked with crutches Thursday. "It could have been much worse. I could have been done for the season. Now I just have a goal to set: get back in two to three weeks, get myself healthy, make a run for the end of the year and Big Tens."\nRogers played about 20 minutes in two games last season. He didn't record a save. In his freshman year, he played in two games for a total of 57 minutes.\n"I'm excited to get the chance to play," Rogers said. "It's unfortunate that T.J. got hurt like he did. It's an unlucky break, but I'm excited and I'll be ready to play. It's going to be a tough game, but I'm confident and ready to play."\nHannig has been a starter for the Hoosiers (6-3) the past four years. In 1998, he recorded the nation's best goals-against-average (0.44). He started for the 1998 and 1999 national championship teams. \nThe loss of Hannig is a major concern because many of his teammates are used to having him in the back of the net. His absence could cause the Hoosiers to overcompensate on defense and play passively, Yeagley said.\nHannig said his knee is most painful when he fully extends it, but that he can he put some weight on it. He said this is his first knee injury.\nPenn State (7-1) has also suffered the loss of one of its top players to an injury this year. Senior midfielder Ricardo Villar has a deep bone bruise in an ankle and won't play tonight. The All-American has played in two games for the Nittany Lions this season. He is on a day-to-day basis, Penn State coach Barry Gorman said.\nThough both teams have injured players, Hannig said he doesn't doubt the game will be a great soccer match between powerhouses. \n"I think it's still Penn State versus Indiana," Hannig said. "It makes a difference, but it doesn't make a difference. It's going to be a battle no matter who's on the field"