COMMON GOALS: MEN’S SOCCER LIKES ITS OPTIONS IN NET
By Chris Kowalczyk
9-24-09

The job description of a goalkeeper could fill a page, but in the simplest terms, he (or she) is the last line of defense. When the bad guys are knocking on the door, it’s the keeper’s job to go get the ball. Clearly, it’s not for everyone.

“Our position is so different,” says VCU Goalkeepers Coach Saul Montero. “Many field players think a goalkeeper is someone that is crazy. When it’s a one-on-one situation and it’s just the ball between his cleats and your face…you’ve got to be crazy to do that.”

Guys with that type of disposition aren’t a dime a dozen. They don’t come in handy family packs at Target. But this season, VCU believes it’s found not just one outstanding player to guard the net, but three.

“It’s the deepest we’ve ever been at the position,” says Rams’ Head Coach Tim O’Sullivan.

Gabriel Rodriguez has made three starts this season for VCU.

Junior Gabriel Rodriguez, a junior college transfer, as well as freshmen Jack Van Arsdale and Andrew Wells, both Richmond natives, have given the 3-1-1 Rams an intriguing dilemma this season.

For the first time in his 15-year stay at VCU, O’Sullivan didn’t have a returning upperclassman to fall back on. He would have to start over completely at the position, where 2008 All-Colonial Athletic Association pick Andrew Dykstra roamed diligently the last four years.

“I knew we had a big void to fill,” Montero said. “So I put all my energy during recruiting into trying to find the right fit.”

Instead, Montero found three.

Rodriguez played two seasons at San jacinto College in California, where he led the school to the 2008 National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament, and earned the early starting nod for the Rams. VCU won two of its first three games with Rodriguez between the pipes, but a wrist injury sent him to the sideline. Wells and Van Arsdale split the next two games, as the Rams went 1-0-1. VCU’s success with all three netminders proved what O’Sullivan and Montero already knew, that the Rams were in good hands no matter which player was in goal.

“You have to have a sound mind, sound hands and sound feet to be a top-notch goalkeeper,” Montero said. “I really do believe all three of these guys have the essential aspects. “

Each has his strengths, according to Montero. Rodriguez is experienced, and is always in the right spot. Wells is the most athletic of the three, just a notch below Dykstra, Montero says. It’s a generous compliment, considering Dykstra once turned down a football scholarship from Virginia Tech. Van Arsdale, meanwhile, is a perfectionist and competitor with excellent communication skills.

Andrew Wells was in net for VCU's 4-3 win over Richmond

Initially, Rodriguez’s experience provided an edge over the freshmen, but Montero made it clear the competition was ongoing, and the players aren’t relaxing.

“Andrew’s pushing me, I’m pushing him and we’re both pushing Gabriel every day in practice,” Van Arsdale said. “Because you know if you take a day off in practice, the other guy might draw ahead of you.”

In addition to effort, the players realize they need to be well-rounded, if they plan on seeing the field.

“At this level, just about every keeper will be a good shot stopper,” Wells said. “So it’s the other things that really set you apart, like distribution, decision-making and communication.”

The worst possible scenario of this type of competition is a fractured roster with toxic chemistry. But Rodriguez, Wells and Van Arsdale aren’t interested in dramatics. Although competition at the position is a close one, the keepers remain steadfastly solidified as teammates.  

“We all get along pretty good,” Rodriguez said. “I think we understand it’s all for the benefit of the team, and no one will get mad at that. We’re trying to compete, and it’s a fair competition. It’s a healthy one.”

The goalie trio’s enthusiasm hasn’t been lost on Montero.

 “This is what I love about these three guys, they’re so competitive,” Montero said. “Every single day, they bring something extra to the field. They’ve all got different personalities, which is great, but they all have that edge.”

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