New Covenant Academy soccer is heading to the program’s second final four in three years this weekend and their offense is clicking at the right time.
“If we move the ball like we do, we always seem to have success,” said New Covenant Academy soccer coach Eric Crain.
The Warriors have scored nine goals in the postseason while recording three shutouts. An impressive feat, considering coming into the year NCA didn’t have a goalkeeper. Typically, the goalie issue could be solved by turning to a different sport.
“Always pulling out baseball players as our goalie and this is the first year that we haven’t had any baseball player playing in that position,” Crain said.
This year, the team needed one of its own to step up.
“Last year he was one of our field players and we don’t have a goalie this year and Jack wanted to do it, so we threw him in,” Crain added.
A new role, but not necessarily a new position for Jack O’Dell.
“I really like the move. I played goalie when I was like seven, the goal is a lot bigger now, but I like it,” said NCA sophomore goalie Jack O’Dell.
The goal is bigger, but then again, so is Jack. Still, it was a tough adjustment.
“I’ve always been pretty good at catching and hand-eye coordination, but the decision-making part is definitely the hardest for me. When to clear it, who to pass to,” Jack said.
Jack’s adjusted well, helping the Warriors to a 17-8-1 record while recording 12 shutouts.
“He’s allowing us to play the ball back, spread the field out, finding our gaps and keep possession he’s just a major part in how we keep control of the ball. The way he controls back there, always talking, it’s a lot of fun just to watch him,” Crain said.
NCA fans can plan to watch him in net for years to come, as he’s now all in on being goalie.
“I definitely like goalie more, definitely better at it probably. I’ll stick with goalie,” Jack said.
