Boys Soccer

Schmidt goes for two Boys team opts to play different goalie each half

Nate Albin albinnat000@hsestudents.org

With all the action happening in front of them, goalkeepers serve as the last line of defense for a soccer team. Once an opposing player takes a shot attempt, it is up to the goalie to make the save to keep their team in the game. This season, the Tigers have quite the unique situation. Instead of one goalie for the whole game, senior Nick Rambo plays one half while junior Tyler March gets the other. For coach Philip Schmidt, this is new. “In 20 years of coaching, I have always had one goalie,” Schmidt said. “I’ve always had a number one goalie. You ride with them unless they get injured or aren’t playing well, then you play your number two. But this year, we have two number one goalies.” While the two goalies are sharing minutes, there is no animosity between the two. According to Schmidt and both players, the two goalies are good for each other’s game. “It is a positive relationship,” Rambo said. “Tyler and I have known each other for years now, and in the past two years, we’ve split time on JV, so it’s not new to us. We always try to push each other so we are the best prepared when we go into the game.” Under the current plan, Rambo plays the first half and March plays the second. This does not mean that one is better based on the half they play, but it instead is another testament to how strong the goalkeepers are. “I like being the person in the net closing out the game,” March said. “I have enough confidence in myself where I can close out the games. I have just as much confidence in Nick if he was closing out games. Either way, we’re in a really good spot.” Even without sharing time, playing in the goal can be a mental challenge. Keepers must be ready to make big plays in big moments, being that they are the player that ultimately determines whether or not a goal is scored. “I’m the last line of defense,” Rambo said. “Everyone is depending on you more than anyone else on the field. A goalie needs to have a short memory. If you make a mistake, forget about it. You can work on those later. In a game, you need to focus on the next action.” Schmidt, Rambo and March all believe that the two-goalie experiment has worked well so far. They also believe that the overall team is better than their record shows, and this is something that Schmidt has been stressing. “Water finds its level,” Schmidt said. “We are a few injuries to key players and a few unlucky breaks away from being 13-0-1 instead of 7-6-1.” As the team heads toward the postseason, the two-goalie system will remain. With not much of the season remaining and not many guaranteed games left, Rambo, March and the third varsity goalkeeper, senior Justin Sharkey, are enjoying the time that they have left together. “I love playing with Nick,” March said. “And I’m going to miss having him on the team. And Sharkey is like the hype man, and I am going to miss him too when he graduates as well.”

2

1. Senior goalie Nick Rambo sets up for a goal kick in a 10-0 win over Whiteland on Sept. 5. Photo used with permission of Nick Rambo. 2. A graphic displays a comparison of stats between the two goalies, Rambo and junior Tyler March. Graphic by Kristen Rummel.