From the outside, a goalie’s role may seem solitary, but on the field, leadership and resilience define the position. As the last line of defense, varsity goalkeepers balance pressure with communication, guiding their teams while guarding the goal.
For both the boys and girls varsity soccer teams, the goalkeepers serve as anchors on defense. They bring different levels of experience to the position but share the same responsibility of protecting the net.
On the girls team, sophomore Luca Eldridge has learned that being a goalie “means more than making saves.” From their spot in the goal box, they direct the defense and sets the tone for the team’s energy.
“I just try to keep a really positive community and constantly hype everyone up,” Eldridge said. “We have a close connection with everyone on the team.”
According to Eldridge, their strengths come from their quick reaction time and ability to control the ball after shots. At the same time, they continue to work on developing the skills that help start offensive plays.
“One thing I want to improve on is distribution and footwork,” Eldridge said.
According to Junior Kyla Jones Jr., the team environment is one of the highlights of the season, especially as the postseason approaches.
“Playoffs is really fun to get together with the girls,” Jones said. “We get to leave school early and spend a long time with a team.”
Beyond physical training, mental preparation plays a major role in Jones’ performance. Before matches, she watches other goalkeepers to stay focused and motivated.
“I watch goalkeeper highlight videos on YouTube,” Jones said. “Whenever I can’t watch them, I have a bad game.”
For the boys team, the goalkeeper position has also become a place for growth. For freshman Adam Parahovnik, competing at the varsity level has challenged him to improve quickly. “The experience is amazing to me,” Perhovnik said. “It’s kind of challenging because the boys are bigger than me, but it’s also helping me improve my skills.”
Rather than focusing on mistakes, Perhovnik relies on confidence to stay composed during games.
“Before I go into a game, I just think that I’ll do great,” Perhovnik said. “I’m only a freshman on varsity, so if I make a mistake, it’s fine because they don’t always expect the best out of me.”
Senior Abdullah Altuwaijri approaches matches with consistency and routine. His preparation begins long before kickoff, helping him stay focused once the game starts.
“Music is a big thing, and I always have the same energy drink every time,” Altuwaijri said.
According to Altuwaijri, over time, his playing style has shifted as he has gained more experience.
“I used to play more aggressive, and now I’m more laid back and defensive as a goalkeeper,” Altuwaijri said.
Despite differences in age and experience, both boys goalkeepers emphasized that communication is one of their most important responsibilities. From their view of the entire field, goalies often guide defenders and help organize plays before they develop.
“I think goalies have a really big responsibility in communicating,” Perhovnik said. “They’re the ones that see the whole field.”
For Jones, mental toughness is what separates a strong goalkeeper from an average one.
“When you get scored on, you have to completely wipe that out of your head,” Jones said. “You have to make sure that you’re OK and that you’re still encouraging other people.”
As the season continues, the goalkeepers remain focused on improvement and teamwork. With both teams looking ahead to postseason competition, the players guarding the net continue to shape the rhythm of each match from behind the field.
“I think the team we have right now is really strong,” Perhovnik said. “I feel like we have a chance this year, and it’s looking good for us.”
