Fifth-year senior Susie McCreery started every match in goal for the Northwestern women’s soccer team in 2001. But this Friday when the Wildcats travel to Purdue, she likely will be found on the sidelines.
Instead, sophomore Anne Helm will be seen patrolling between the posts.
Helm is scheduled to make her third consecutive start in NU’s match-up with the Boilermakers.
In her starting debut at Iowa last Friday, Helm saved all five shots she faced, earning a shutout. She followed up that performance with seven saves and three goals allowed against Illinois.
Helm has been encouraged by the opportunity, Haigh said.
“She’s acted and played with a lot of confidence, and it’s crucial for a keeper to have that air of confidence about them,” Haigh said.
Helm’s .800 save percentage for last weekend put her slightly ahead of McCreery’s 2001 mark of .765.
However, the decision to keep McCreery off the field is a difficult one, Haigh said.
“It’s not an easy thing to do, but both are handling it with maturity — they’ve both been enormously supportive of each other,” Haigh said. “The bottom line is they’re being good teammates.”
McCreery, who recorded a 1.04 goals against average in 2001 — second best in school history — holds the obvious edge in experience. She was on the field for all but 19 minutes last season.
Besides her experience, McCreery has a strong punt that jump starts the NU counterattack. And her slight edge over Helm in shot stopping will keep the goalie controversy current for the rest of the season, Haigh said.
Haigh cited Helm’s mobility and courageousness as her strongest attributes.
Helm’s teammates praised her quickness off the line and her ability to help the defense clear the ball.
“She’s really showed her capabilities in practice,” sophomore Ashleigh Garmon said. “We’re excited she’s getting an opportunity to show her stuff and prove herself.”
The strengths of both goalies could be useful in different situations, Haigh said.
And Haigh would not rule out the possibility of a season-long competition for the starting job.
“Ideally, we’d like to pick one and stick with them,” Haigh said. “But if the keeper spot is wide open — if they perform equally — we may switch off depending on who we play and what strengths we need out on the field.”
MOVIN’ ON UP: Garmon notched her fifth goal of the season against Iowa, moving her into the Cats’ all-time top 10 for goals scored in a single season. The forward is the first NU player to reach the five-goal plateau since 1999.
Garmon reached the mark in just eight games.
While the single-season record of 14 may be a stretch, Garmon is on pace to net 10 goals. That total would be good for second on the Cats’ single-season list.
“Ash is certainly doing the job,” Haigh said. “She’s carrying a lot of the load. Forwards are expected to be finishers, and she’s stepping up to the plate and taking a lot of shots, so we’ll see.”
Garmon has two more seasons to make a run at Erickson’s career mark of 29.
“Her first touch on the ball is very clean and smooth,” Haigh said. “She has a great shot with both feet and is very creative around the goal.”
ALTHERR’S MIDTERMS: At the midpoint of NU’s season, Haigh awarded a favorable report card to her new assistant coach, Jennie Altherr.
Altherr was a member of North Carolina’s 1987 NCAA championship team and came to NU with a plethora of coaching experience.
“Her experience has allowed her to step in and not spend a lot of time transitioning,” Haigh said. “She’s been able to come in and impact right away. Jennie is a great soccer mind and a great teacher.”
The former Mississippi State head coach has helped keep the players fired up all season, Haigh said.
“Her charisma is inspiring, she has a lot of passion for the game,” Haigh said. “Whether she’s expressing that in a positive, encouraging manner, or a little more urgent and determined manner, she’s just brought a lot more energy to the program.”
