Glynn Academy coach Bobby Brockman knows what attributes good goalkeepers possess. And he’s got a good one in senior Connor Behrend.
Brockman says good keepers come in all sizes, but ideal specs would be an athlete who is between 6-2 and 6-5, weighing around 180-200 pounds and possessing large hands and keen instincts.
“But just like when you have ideal quarterback specs, and you have really good quarterbacks that don’t fit that mold, it’s the same for keepers,” Brockman explained in an email.
Brockman also asks his keeper to read the game, make proactive decisions, effectively distribute the ball to teammates with throws or punts and, possibly most importantly, be mentally tough.
“Lastly, they need a short memory,” Brockman added, “where if they got scored on they have to forget about that and be ready for the next play or they will get scored upon again.”
St. Pius coach David O’Shea agrees with Brockman about the importance of a keeper’s mental approach and emphasizes confidence and concentration with his keeper Jake Beyer.
“You have to be confident enough to make a decision at the right time without hesitation,” O’Shea wrote in an email. “That fraction of a second can be the difference between a save and a goal.
“Sometimes keepers can go through spells where they have nothing to do,” added O’Shea. “To have the ability to remain focused and come up big when called upon is the mark of a great keeper.”
Brockman got a big performance from his keeper in Glynn Academy’s 2-1 win over Class AAA No. 1 St. Pius on Friday in the Tournament of Champions in Golden Isles. Behrend (6-5, 180) made what Brockman described as “remarkable” saves in the win, and coach’s son Roman Brockman scored the winning free kick with two minutes remaining.
Behrend is 6-5, 180 pounds and possesses "all the qualities" Brockman described. Behrend is committed to Presbyterian University.
Glynn Academy moved into the top 5 of Class AAAA with the win over St. Pius, which remains No. 1 in AAA.
Class AAAAAA
1. Brookwood
2. Walton
3. Lambert
4. Mill Creek
5. Duluth
6. Centennial
7. Parkview
8. Harrison
9. Peachtree Ridge
10. Johns Creek
Class AAAAA
1. McIntosh
2. Pope
3. Gainesville
4. Lakeside-DeKalb
5. Glynn Academy
6. Greenbrier
7. Clarke Central
8. Allatoona
9. Houston County
10. Northside-Warner Robins
Class AAAA
1. Dalton
2. Southeast Whitfield
3. Grady
4. Johnson-Gainesville
5. Chestatee
6. Columbus
7. Perry
8. Northwest Whitfield
9. Spalding
10. LaGrange
Class AAA
1. St. Pius X
2. Woodward Academy
3. Blessed Trinity
4. North Murray
5. Oconee County
6. Coahulla Creek
7. East Hall
8. North Hall
9. Dawson County
10. West Hall
Class AA
1. Greater Atlanta Christian
2. Westminster
3. Calhoun
4. Wesleyan
5. Murray County
6. Benedictine
7. Bremen
8. Thomasville
9. Atkinson County
10. Vidalia
Class A
1. Atlanta International
2. First Presbyterian
3. Hebron Christian
4. Fellowship Christian
5. Pinecrest Academy
6. Mount Paran
7. Pace Academy
8. Paideia
9. Darlington
10. Holy Innocents’
