Where have all of the goalkeepers gone?

[rocksccrstar]

Since I have seen this mentioned and know from experience, not just this year but in past years, I would like to know if there is really a decline in girls that want to play goalie or does it just seem that way. When I played, in ancient times, teams had 2 or 3 goalkeepers, each level of select, both in Baton Rouge and on the Northshore, had 2 or 3 goalkeepers. What is the deal? Do coaches cross their fingers that a goalie shows up at tryouts? Or that their one keeper stays healthy? Or do some coaches just pray that they can convert a field player to goalie and it work out?

I am really interested to see what others think.

[Mung]

At ASH we've always had trouble finding goalies. No one wants to play in the goal, so for the past few years we've recruited softball players, Annie McNeal then Hillary Lacroix, both of whom worked out well for us. This year Hill left for Menard, so we converted an aggressive forward(Melanie Queen) to goalie, and she's done a prettty good job for us. Bolton had one of the few goalies that truly wants to play there, as she was outstanding as an 8th grader a few years ago on our rec team. It seems like the best athletes would rather play in the field and not in the goal, so you're left with someone who hates the job or just can't play the field, unless you get someone like Hannah for Bolton.

[tbone5471]

look no furthur than barbe high. they have had very good gk's for the last 3 years....

[uncsoccer]

Boltons keeper is by far one of the most talented keepers I have seen. She is one of the few that really enjoys it and is shows in her work ethic. She has a very bright future as long as she stays with it and I am pretty sure she will or she will have to deal with her ODP parents!

[blackandtan]

I watched some of Bolton's practice last night. Hannah practices like she really wants to take her play to the next level. She is a great keeper...with some defensive support, she would be outstanding! Too bad other teams don't have that same level of committment in the keeper position, because a good keeper means so much to a team.

[broncoman]

Hey Mung I have to reply to your comment about goalie....The main problem is most goalies are not playing on premier teams the rest of the year. Mine Ashley---Sam Houston plays about 10 months out of the year and loves it. She also loves to get out of the goal and play forward and wants to shoot and score since she is always on the defense end.It might seem like it to you, but down here where the best goalies seem to come from being catchers on a softball team and playing at the next level is expected. So yes I take offense to your comment and I'm sure other parents and goalies do to, that as you said "can't play the field". Without a good goalie what would your team be, all positions are important, but I'm personally biased about the goalie whether they're great or just doing the best they can. Sorry for being long winded but you stepped out of bounds on this one.

[PumasFC]

I have tried to stay out of this discussion since I'm biased.
As a former goalkeeper and one who has spent many thousands of dollar over the last ten years keeping one trained and on top of her game I am opinionated about this position.
Good Goalkeepers are hard to come by and great ones even harder. It takes a special person to layout and put their face behind a ball (well hands in between the two) and have a forward come racing in trying to kick it out of your hands. Even fewer people want to get fully extended up in the air with no protection just to have someone bust them in the ribs. Those are the little things.
Think about this: As a goalie when you make a mistake, you have to turn around and get the ball out of the back of the net. When anyone else on the field makes a mistake it is no big deal because someone is behind them to fix it. Does anyone stare at the midfielder that just got beat, not likely? And yet Everyone looks at the keeper if she gets beat.

I've heard the old saw 'Just get a volleyball player, or the catcher from the softball team before" They may have the hands to be able to play the position, but the difference between good and great is in the technique, getting to where you need to be to make saves look "easy". That comes with hours of training not at the end of Oct then quitting in Feb. My daughter has played almost year round for the past 6 years between Fall, Spring seasons, camps in the winter before she was in high school and one to three summer camps, two years of ODP, plus Summer league since its inception in Baton Rouge three years ago.
The Knee injury she suffered at a tournament in December with be her longest layoff from soccer in the last six years.
That doesn't mean she won't be on the sidelines for HS and Club, she can still contribute to both by encouraging her fellow GK's. Oh by the way she tore her ACL playing on the field. Dr told her she needed to get a good rehab because with the scars on her knees and elbows she wasn't going to get many modeling jobs.
As to not being able to play on the field, with the changes in the game today your goalkeeper had better be able to handle the ball with her feet. Those that played with and against this young lady found her to be comparably to most of the better boys she has played against.

[Mung]

No slight intended, BM. My oldest played in the goal as a freshman, and she hated it, and kvetched until placed at midfield. It's a thankless job, and one that catches alot of blame and little praise. SH's goalie is very good, and I would guess one of the few who actually wants and is able to play there. However, as the original poster indicated, it's a hard spot to fill, and few girls teams are fortunate to have really good goalies.

[uncsoccer]

Bolton played the other night and lost 3-0 with 31 shots on goal and from what I heard Hannah had over 20 saves. Its good to know there are some good up and coming keepers in this state.

[burtvincent]

Glad to see a few goalie's getting some credit. while I agree that goalies have to be good athletes, I feel that the mental side of goal keeping is just important. our premier team goalie, who also plays for SAM Houston does a great job. She has to be ready to shift from boredom to full speed in the blink of an eye. field players get in a rhythm for goalies its usually all or nothing

[northshorefan]

St. Thomas Aquinas has a goalie, Emily Phares, who has made the choice that is the position she wants to play. She's only a sophomore, but she's getting better and stronger each game. Her attitude is that there are 10 other players to help. She's played solid in the goal and it's refreshing to see an athlete that is dedicated to her position.

[couldjustbeme]

Division I, district 3 is full of outstanding keepers. Chelsea Ortego, Deb Hill, Brandi from NISH. I don't know names but the Barbe and Comeaux keeps are very good as well. Also the Sulpher Keeper has it slammed to her pretty hard and she makes great saves as well. I know Lafayette's Hart is pretty good and that's good for them since Ortego is a senior. I am pretty sure you need to almost be certifiable to play keeper. I practically free-base Mylanta for a shootout so I can't imagine what goes through the keepers mind. I admire any kid willing to do it.

[Wofford Dad f/k/a SJA Dad]

I have tried to stay out of this discussion since I'm biased.
As a former goalkeeper and one who has spent many thousands of dollar over the last ten years keeping one trained and on top of her game I am opinionated about this position.
Good Goalkeepers are hard to come by and great ones even harder. It takes a special person to layout and put their face behind a ball (well hands in between the two) and have a forward come racing in trying to kick it out of your hands. Even fewer people want to get fully extended up in the air with no protection just to have someone bust them in the ribs. Those are the little things.
Think about this: As a goalie when you make a mistake, you have to turn around and get the ball out of the back of the net. When anyone else on the field makes a mistake it is no big deal because someone is behind them to fix it. Does anyone stare at the midfielder that just got beat, not likely? And yet Everyone looks at the keeper if she gets beat.

I've heard the old saw 'Just get a volleyball player, or the catcher from the softball team before" They may have the hands to be able to play the position, but the difference between good and great is in the technique, getting to where you need to be to make saves look "easy". That comes with hours of training not at the end of Oct then quitting in Feb. My daughter has played almost year round for the past 6 years between Fall, Spring seasons, camps in the winter before she was in high school and one to three summer camps, two years of ODP, plus Summer league since its inception in Baton Rouge three years ago.
The Knee injury she suffered at a tournament in December with be her longest layoff from soccer in the last six years.
That doesn't mean she won't be on the sidelines for HS and Club, she can still contribute to both by encouraging her fellow GK's. Oh by the way she tore her ACL playing on the field. Dr told her she needed to get a good rehab because with the scars on her knees and elbows she wasn't going to get many modeling jobs.
As to not being able to play on the field, with the changes in the game today your goalkeeper had better be able to handle the ball with her feet. Those that played with and against this young lady found her to be comparably to most of the better boys she has played against.

Pumas -- you must be Val's dad. It is a shame that she got hurt. She is a terrific keeper. Last year, she singlehandedly kept Woodlawn in the game against SJA with acrobatic save after save. Another key ingredient that a good goalie has is being a.) vocal about being the backside quarterback directing the defense, and b.) having a thick skin. Val certainly has both. Extend to her our best wishes for a speedy recovery from the St. Joseph's family.

[Barron]

In recent years, Lafayette High has had about 5 good goalkeepers each year. Perhaps they could sell or rent out some of them.

University has an incredible keeper. She singlehandedly stopped Cath PC on Tues night. I don't think it was a fluke. She made some saves that you see in a boys game. She probably could be the starting keeper for the Univ boys team.

[sokerfan]

To answer your question, Lafayette High has them. With 4 keepers on the roster some would question what to do. It's tough, with 1 senior, 2 sophmores, and a freshman, the future looks bright. Especially since the 2 sophs both have premier soccer experience. And the good news is they have another keeper coming in as a freshman next year also in the premiere program. You better believe there is competing going on every day all year long. I believe the competition keeps them working to improve with the hopes of being "the rock between the pipes". What a problem to have, right Coaches!
I really do believe it takes a special someone to play keeper. To get muddy and wet just in warmups and you are talking about the backup that may not get in the game. To get wet in warmups when the temperature at game time is 38 degrees with a 10 mph wind. And you don't have a shot taken at you in the whole first half, and the coach still puts you in goal the second half. A special breed? Or just crazy? You make the call.

[PumasFC]

Geez and I thought Baton Rouge High was set with a Senior and a Sophomore. Keeping that many keepers happy alone should make the Lafayette coach, Coach of the Year

[Barron]

One bad aspect of having as many goalkeepers as Lafayette High is that the backups get very little playing time--and when they do play, it is usually against weak teams that seldom get a shot on goal. The Lafayette High backup goalkeepers could be starters at other schools.

[allstatebronco]

Can I be the high school sports agent for these Laffy GK's? I will rent them out for top $$$ to programs in need.

I'll only take 66.6%(notice the number ) of the fee and will not tell LHSAA.

Trust me...I promise (read LIAR, LIAR)



Laffy...if you have 5 GK's...count your blessings! Most schools would love to have ONE!