Roberson soccer players celebrate Monday after goalkeeper Evan Goosman, holding up three fingers on both hands, recorded his 33rd career shutout.
SKYLAND – Evan Goosmann has a few rare nights where pacing back and forth is about the extent of his action.
But when another soccer team does advance the ball through the midfield and past Roberson’s back line?
Goosmann has proven himself ready time and time again.
The former all-state goalkeeper became the Rams’ all-time leader in shutouts earlier this week. The old school record was 32 and Goosmann has 34 after a clean sheet in Wednesday’s 4-0 win at Erwin.
“It really means a lot to me. It’s one of the proudest moments I’ve ever had,” Goosmann said.
“I’m really happy with the way our team is playing. We didn’t have a lot of seniors (in 2015), so that’s really helped. We’re all trying to do our best and the guys on this team are doing a good job finishing their chances.”
Goosmann is a senior and still exploring his college options.
He saw some light work at the varsity level as a freshman in 2013, then really came into his own after that. Goosmann was named the 2015 Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a Citizen-Times All-WNC keeper along with all-region and 4-A all-state recognition from the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association. He had 16 shutouts last fall.
Goosmann previously shared the school record for career shutouts with three former Roberson keepers – Patrick Brown, Matt Novchich, and Eric Handley – before getting No. 33 in Monday’s 3-0 home win over North Buncombe.
For the season, Goosmann has 55 saves and eight shutouts.
Rams defenders who have contributed to those stats include starters Bradley Elliott, Carson Brock, Garrett Douglas and Tanner McElreath.
“When we win, we win as a team. When we get shutouts, we do it as a team,” Roberson coach Josh Martin said.
“Evan’s record really is something our team has been able to share together. And with the success that we’re having in some other sports like football and volleyball right now, it’s important for us to represent Roberson the best we can.”
Top goal-scorers for the Rams (10-3-1, 3-0-0) this season are Jack Sandstedt and Imanol Yepez-Frias with nine goals apiece, followed by Douglas (seven), Chris Gregorio (five) and Evan Lewis (four). Lewis has given out a team-high nine assists. Other leaders in that category are Yepez-Frias (six), Thomas Hanson (five) and Sanstedt (four).
Next week is rivalry week for Roberson. The Rams play Monday at Asheville High and then turn around and host Reynolds on Wednesday. Both games should begin at 7 p.m.
Martin is in the middle of his first season as coach and has the defending MAC 4-A champions tied for first place in the overall conference standings with the Rockets (10-2-1, 3-0-0).
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