tusculum-college-considers-kaspars-keeper-ar-278789
BOYS SOCCER
Central grad Anthony Kaspars wasn’t always a goalkeeper. But setting up between the pipes guaranteed him the most playing time.
“Central was going to need a goalkeeper and I’m 6-foot-4, I’m a really big guy,” Kaspars said. “I wasn’t that fast. I’d be sitting a lot if I played midfield.”
He didn’t always plan on playing in college, either. Yet when Tusculum College, a Division II school in Greeneville, Tenn. offered him the chance, he jumped at it.
“The opportunity just came,” Kaspars said. “I look at it as a different opportunity to try something new.”
Big influence
In his second year starting in goal for the Bears, Kaspars made 71 saves as a senior, permitting nine goals and recording two shutouts.
He finished his final prep campaign by helping Central capture its first district championship in 10 years. The Bears went to regionals in each of Kaspars’ last two seasons.
According to Head Coach Alex Viramontes, Kaspars’ contributions went beyond stopping shots.
“Anthony was unbelievable,” Viramontes said. “He was a big influence on everything with his leadership as a captain and his leadership from his game.
“He was just a great guy to have around. He was upbeat and intense every game. I can’t say enough. He was great all year long.”
During one of his games for the Bears, Kaspars caught the eye of Roger Kennedy, a coach with First Hernando Youth Soccer.
Kennedy offered his assistance to Kaspars, taking him in front of University of Tampa coaches. When the school couldn’t pony up scholarship money for a keeper, Kennedy referred Kaspars to Tusculum.
As Kaspars toured the campus, he was impressed with the area and its proximity to Johnson City and Knoxville, as well as the school’s indoor soccer facility.
“I’ve played at the University of Tampa, I’ve played at St. Leo and none of their stadiums compare to this one,” Kaspars said.
Still, Kaspars had already been accepted to the University of Central Florida, University of South Florida and Florida International University academically. If he was going to leave the state to play soccer, he wanted to make sure he’d see some action on the pitch.
The Pioneers have four goalkeepers on their roster, three juniors and a senior. Andy Goellner, who will be one of those juniors in 2011-12, started all 17 games last season.
“When I talked to the coach, that was my main concern,” Kaspars said. “I told him I’m not going to move all the way up here and sit for my entire college career. The way he told me, I should be the backup goalkeeper this fall.”
Learning late
The progression of Kaspars is impressive considering he didn’t become a full-timer in the net until his junior year at Central.
Prior to that, his goalkeeping experienced was limited to cameo appearances while playing for the Hernando Heat.
Once it became apparent that would become his ideal position, he embraced the role and quickly learned the nuances.
“I love it,” Kaspars said. “I like the pressure. The whole game can be held in your hands. You can make the greatest save or not make the save. It’s all left on you.”
He does have interests aside from soccer. He played three years of tennis for the Bears, and plans to study sports management with the idea of heading into athletic training or physical therapy.
This time in the Volunteer State may mark the end of his competitive soccer days, but he’s content to use this as pathway to higher education while gaining a few extra years playing the sport he enjoys.
“I’m going to work as hard as possible,” Kaspars said. “I’d like to be starting by next year. There’s stuff I need to learn, training. It’ll be a different situation. I’ve never played college soccer. It’s going to be a lot higher level. I have to work hard to get to the highest level I can be at.”
By the Numbers: Central’s Anthony Kaspars
YR GA SV SO
Sr 9 71 2
Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or [email protected].
