Spring Break
Castillo Shines Off Bench In Win
Junior's Play In Place Of Injured Schilling Testament To Huskies' Depth
Justin Verrier
Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: Sports
In four games this year, the defense has limited opponents to a total of 10 shots and two goals, both of which coming with nearly every member of the first team on the bench. With the likes of James, a two-time Big East Defender of the Year and 2006 first-team All-American, and Schilling, a third-team All-Big East selection last year, the defense has been absolutely stout, limiting opposing offense's time of possession and helping goalie Josh Ford post three shutouts.
But with one of their leaders - someone who James says keeps the defense grounded - being escorted to the sidelines, Reid called for junior Oscar Castillo to be his replacement.
Upon hearing his name being beckoned, Castillo emerged from the metal overhangs that cover the bench and jogged to the out-of-bounds line. He crossed himself, gently kissed his fingertips and pointed in the air.
Listed at 5-foot-7, Castillo is almost the complete antithesis of Schilling and the rest of the starting defense. Unlike Kwame Watson-Siriboe, a 6-foot-3 monster who towers over opponents and James, an imposing figure with a strong jaw line and a penchant for getting carried away, Castillo is very unassuming.
"His confidence has wavered, he's been unfit," Reid said. "He's a good player, but sometimes I don't think he thinks he's good. And that's part of his problem."
With a confused look across his face as if this were the first day of school, the junior saunters onto the field and takes a place next to the other Husky enforcers just outside the box - his rightful place.
According to Reid, Castillo, who transferred to UConn after playing two seasons at Division III Mt. San Antonio College, was supposed to come into Storrs and immediately take over the right back spot. But after summer workouts and all the preseason games were over, Castillo was relegated to the bench.
"I'll be honest, we brought him in to be the right back," Reid said. "At the point we got the kid, we thought it would be Karl and JJ [in the back]. We didn't think Kwame could do it. But after watching Kwame all spring, we moved Karl out to the flank."
But with one of their leaders - someone who James says keeps the defense grounded - being escorted to the sidelines, Reid called for junior Oscar Castillo to be his replacement.
Upon hearing his name being beckoned, Castillo emerged from the metal overhangs that cover the bench and jogged to the out-of-bounds line. He crossed himself, gently kissed his fingertips and pointed in the air.
Listed at 5-foot-7, Castillo is almost the complete antithesis of Schilling and the rest of the starting defense. Unlike Kwame Watson-Siriboe, a 6-foot-3 monster who towers over opponents and James, an imposing figure with a strong jaw line and a penchant for getting carried away, Castillo is very unassuming.
"His confidence has wavered, he's been unfit," Reid said. "He's a good player, but sometimes I don't think he thinks he's good. And that's part of his problem."
With a confused look across his face as if this were the first day of school, the junior saunters onto the field and takes a place next to the other Husky enforcers just outside the box - his rightful place.
According to Reid, Castillo, who transferred to UConn after playing two seasons at Division III Mt. San Antonio College, was supposed to come into Storrs and immediately take over the right back spot. But after summer workouts and all the preseason games were over, Castillo was relegated to the bench.
"I'll be honest, we brought him in to be the right back," Reid said. "At the point we got the kid, we thought it would be Karl and JJ [in the back]. We didn't think Kwame could do it. But after watching Kwame all spring, we moved Karl out to the flank."
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