University of North Carolina Athletics
Q&A: Scott Goodwin
November 19, 2009 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 19, 2009
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Freshman goalkeeper Scott Goodwin came in to relieve an injured Brooks Haggerty in the Tar Heels' regular season 2-2 double-overtime tie against Wake Forest. Goodwin went on to start in three games and recorded two shutouts for Carolina. The nearly 300 minutes Goodwin played this season and the experience he gained against ACC opponents will give him an edge in goal next season.
THB.com: What was it like getting your first collegiate start?
Scott Goodwin: My first collegiate start was a very exciting experience because the level of competition is much higher than any at which I have previously played. Also, the atmosphere in the stadium during an ACC conference match brings an intensity to the game that overwhelms you and is fun in which to play. It was very good to get that first win under my belt and to have my teammates gain some confidence in me.
THB.com: How do you stay focused when the ball is in the offensive third of the field?
SG: I stay focused when the ball is in the offensive third of the field by constantly communicating and shifting players around to where they need to be. The goalkeeper is the only one who can see the entire field, so it is my job to give directions and organize the team whenever possible.
THB.com: Do you have a pregame ritual or routine?
SG: I don't really have much of a pre-game ritual, except for, when the huddle breaks up and I run to the goal, I always take a sip of water, throw it by the side of the goal and jump up and touch the cross bar right before the game starts.
THB.com: Do you have a favorite (professional) goalie who you like to watch to improve your game?
SG: My favorite professional goalkeeper is Petr Cech on Chelsea FC because he has good hands and a demanding presence in the box. I have seen him play once in real life while I was in England, and I enjoy watching him play and learning from what he does.
THB.com: Why did you choose UNC?
SG: I have been a UNC fan since the day I was born because both of my parents went here, and it has always been a dream of mine to go to UNC. I chose UNC because it allowed me not only to be a part of a great soccer program with an awesome coaching staff, but also to get a first-class education.
THB.com: What has made the UNC defense so successful this season?
SG: I believe our defense has been so successful this season because we have put in a lot of work in practice trying to make sure our defensive shape is correct. When you practice something so much, it becomes instinctive, which is what we are working towards. Overall, I think the majority of our success in the back comes from our defenders having great instincts. They don't have to be the craftiest players on the field because they give everything they have during games and are good at reading the game and preventing problems before they occur.
THB.com: Why did you choose to be a goalie?
SG: Honestly I can't really even remember why I chose to be a goalkeeper. I think I was about ten when I switched from a defender to a goalkeeper, and I believe I just tried it out one day in practice and found out I was kind of good at it, then just stuck with it from then on. Today, I love being a goalkeeper because it allows me to be a leader on the field, and the pressure involved with the position makes things exciting. Also, there is no better feeling than flying across the goal and making a great save.
THB.com: If you could go one-on-one against any attacker (past or present), who would you want it to be? How would you stop him?
SG: If I could go one-on-one with any attacker from the past or present it would be Diego Maradona because he is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the past century. To stop him I would go hard to the ball so he couldn't put it away with his infamous hand that was the source of the well-known "Hand of God" goal!
THB.com: Who is the toughest attacker you face in practice?
SG: I can't really pick just one that is the toughest because they all have very different styles that are all effective. The toughest attackers I face in practice are probably Billy Schuler, Enzo Martinez, and Alex Dixon. Billy is a very solid, smart attacker with great finishing instincts. Enzo is one of the hardest-working players I've played with, and his strong desire to put the ball in the back of the net no matter what makes him a tough opponent, especially in small-sided games. Alex Dixon is one of the quickest players I've ever faced on the field, and his ability to get a shot off quickly and still with a lot of pace makes him difficult to read.
THB.com: What is your favorite movie?
SG: My favorite movie is probably Anchorman because I love Will Ferrell and I think this is where he's at his best. Close runners-up would include Wedding Crashers, The Matrix, Old School, and Apocalypto.
THB.com: What is the best thing about being a Tar Heel?
SG: The best thing about being a Tar Heel is that I get to be a part of a team that is like one big family. Our pregame cheer (1...2...3...Family!) is not just a cheer, it is a motto that describes our close-knit team perfectly. One of the best things about coming in to the team this year is that no one made me feel like a freshman. Instead, the older guys take the younger guys in and everybody gets a fair shot to prove himself.
