As a keeper i know how stressful it can be to know that the game can be decided by you. To go from no shots for half a game to having them poured in on you takes a large amount of concentration on the game adn understanding. I believe to an extent keepers, that is good keepers who have played for a while, are some or are the best athletes on the field. The wide range of demands the position presents is larger then what people think. You have to have played the position to truly get it.
Also, I do believe that defenders are also overlooked much of the time. Sometimes they are the ones that keep the GKs out of trouble.
Blakley Mattern is a great player, but i believe one that is overlooked is Renee Ballew. She plays for Riverside and is a total playmaker. She may not score the goals but she sets it up for other people. Also she can play at any position you put her! One of the most well rounded players i have ever seen play!
We will see how the two match up tonight when Riverside playes JL Mann!
