A soccer team can’t win a game by merely scoring a lot of goals. It must save shots from the opposing team, as well. The Varsity soccer team knows this well, and that is why goalies junior Wyatt Hogan and sophomore Jon Pelloso work so hard. “The team looks to the keeper for support, and that’s what I try to give my team at all times,” said Hogan.

During practice, Hogan and Pelloso usually are separated from the field players. “We warm up with throws, kicks, and crosses, then we'll work on direct shots, breakaways, or anything that we've messed up on in a game before,” said Pelloso, who has been a goalie for about six years.

Conditioning and strength training keep Hogan busy during practice. “I do a lot of training that involves improving my technique. I also do a lot of training sessions that help me with strength in my hands. I work with catching a 12 or 13 pound medicine ball. I also use Silly Puddy to squeeze and work on my hand muscles,” said Hogan. “Conditioning [like running] is not as critical for me as a keeper, but I still need to keep in shape because that affects how quickly I can get my body to the ball.”

The goalies and field players may be separated for a lot of practice but not for the whole time. “At the end [of practice], field players and goalies will come together with what they’ve been working on that day: throws, kicks, dives, crosses,” Pelloso said. “Then the team brings it in and shoots on us.”

The players work on further improvement of their technical and communication skills at this time. “To improve technique the only thing you can do is repetitions until you get it spot on,” Hogan explained.

Practice makes perfect, because when game time comes, the team counts on the goalies to prevent being scored on. “There’s a big adrenaline rush after every save you make, big or small,” Pelloso said.

Another responsibility of the goalie is to direct play on the field. “I like how in net I can see the whole field and be the leader of the team,” said Hogan.

“I get to tell people what to do. Goalies command the field. They let people know who’s open on the field,” said Pelloso. “Being a goalie allows me to see the whole field so I know what we need to work on and what we are doing well.”

On the other hand, both goalies feel a little disappointed if a shot is let in or if a person is left open and does not receive the ball. “There are some instances where I let in something that I should have saved, and that was no one’s fault but my own,” Hogan said. “But our team believes that if we get scored on, we get scored on as a team. I take about 30 seconds to blame myself and think of how I could have made the save, then I move on because thinking about it too much puts you at risk of losing focus.” Pelloso also tries to shake off any guilt he feels and move on with the game.

Pelloso and Hogan both agree that being goalkeeper puts pressure on them during the games. To keep focus and settle nerves, Hogan and Pelloso both just take breathes to calm down. The support of the other players on the team is always the key to being self-assured in the net. “My team always backs me up and gives me confidence,” said Pelloso.

After being a goalie for four years, Hogan has been through much on the field. “Last year I broke my middle finger in a game. Other than that I haven’t hurt myself to the point where I can’t play,” said Hogan. “[I get] a few finger jams and muscle strains from time to time.”

Hogan has developed his own way of saving an oncoming ball. “When the ball is coming at me in a game, I don’t think. I just let my reactions take over. If you think too much you won’t have the time to make the save,” Hogan explained.

With every fan and teammate counting on them to defend the goal, Hogan and Pelloso really have to step up at each practice and game. They must give their best and be alert all the time. “There are some games where, I will admit, it gets boring back there [when the ball doesn’t come near the goal], but I need to be focused and on my toes so if the ball does come back I will be ready,” Hogan said. Surely, the hours spent practicing, doing drills, and scrimmaging pays off for the entire team in each game.