NORTH ANDOVER — Merrimack College held a special Mass in the Marion E. Taylor Chapel shortly after noon yesterday for a University of New Haven soccer player who suffered a life-threatening head injury in a game here Wednesday night.
James Hilaire, a senior and goalie for the New Haven team, was in critical condition last night at Boston Medical Center, where he was being treated in the surgical intensive care unit. Hilaire was rushed to Lawrence General Hospital and later flown by medical helicopter to Boston after a collision with Merrimack's Robbie Sabadoz.
Hilaire was knocked unconscious trying to block a goal when his head struck Sabadoz's knee with about 27 minutes left in the game. Sabadoz had scored three goals to put Merrimack in front 3-0 when Hilaire's injury forced suspension of the game.
"The Merrimack community is praying for the student's recovery, for his family and teammates, and the entire University of New Haven community, Merrimack College's sports information director Brad Davis said yesterday.
