This wasn’t supposed to happen. Tim Sartori is not supposed to be on a soccer field. Much less was he expected to be barking from the backfield, being the support in the defense that helped the Billikens maintain the lowest goals against average in Conference USA last season. No, Tim Sartori is supposed to be rehabing his torn anterior cruiciate ligament(ACL) for at least six months, not just three months and a week.

But he’s not.

Sartori has made what some would call a miraculous recovery. On April 15, Sartori twisted his leg and fell on the field at Robert R. Hermann Stadium, howling in pain.

The few spectators in the stands for the spring game went silent and focused on Sartori as he writhed on the green turf.

This was the second time he had torn an ACL.

Earlier in his career, he tore his left ACL. He finished the game and then found out he had torn his ligament. But this time, it was different.

“I knew I’d hurt it,” said Sartori. “The pain was excruciating; it was a lot worse than the first one.”

On April 28 Sartori underwent surgery to repair his right ACL. The next step was to get the ligament into good shape, with the slim hope he would be able to play this coming fall.

“I didn’t know if I was going to take a redshirt and go a fifth year or not,” Sartori said.

“I wasn’t going to make that decision when I crossed that bridge.”

Sartori rehabbed all summer: five days on, two days off, two and a half hours a day; three days a week lifting weights, two days running.

“I hit the weights pretty good for three days a week. I’d do something lighter the other two days, usually running,” Sartori said.

Working with Sartori was team doctor Chris West.

“Chris West is unbelievable,” Sartori said.

“He’s so good about knowing how hard you can go, even if you don’t think you can. All the credit goes to the doctor who performed my surgery and to Chris.”

In order to be cleared to play, Sartori had to pass a rigorous set of tests. The tests were to evaluate the strength and agility of his right ACL.

“I had to do a standing long jump, push up about 250-300 pounds with my leg, jumping activities, and cutting in and out of cones,” Sartori said.

After pushing himself all summer, Sartori tested his repaired ligament and passed the strenuous tests.

Even though he’s not at 100 percent, he’s in good enough shape to play.

“If coach or Chris [West] or I thought I wasn’t going to help the team or hurt myself, I wouldn’t be out there,” Sartori said.

“I want to be a leader on the team, I want to help anyway I can.”

And he will. Sartori is expecting to maintain his starting spot in the backfield.

He’s ready for the preseason to be over and the regular season to begin. But there is something more than just wanting to play. Sartori wants to play with the guys he’s been with for three years.

“I wanted to finish with [Joe] Hammes, Marty [Tappel], and Bobby [O’Connell], all the guys I came in with,” Sartori said.

Sartori was motivated since it seemed everyone he talked to said it wasn’t possible.

“So many people told me I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t come back,” Sartori said.

But Sartori is back. He was on the field this past Tuesday when SLU scrimmaged against the St. Louis Steamers. He was in the backfield, making sure the defense was in order.

“I’m super lucky to be where I am,” Sartori said.