Herman key to success, in more ways than one
By Rhett Workman
Contributing Writer
Goalkeeper Ryan Herman dazzled spectators and fans Saturday, March 13, at Bothell with his booming kicks from the Mount Si net.
Two days later, Herman’s footwork made the difference as the Mount Si soccer team took care of Lake Washington in its Monday, March 15, home opener. Herman got a shutout, and added an assist to help the Wildcats beat the Kangs, 2-0. Dane Aldrich and Doug Silvius scored the goals for Mount Si .
“This is a very good team that we have. It’s very special,” said a pleased Mount Si coach Darren Brown. “We’re going to have a lot of fun this year.”
Herman’s assist came on the Aldrich goal, in the eighth minute. After the Wildcats were given a free kick after being fouled by Lake Washington, Herman came up to take the kick. He boomed it on goal, where it was misplayed by the Kangs keeper, junior Brian Tucker. With the field waiting to be cleaned up, Aldrich came in and did just that, punching the ball in for the 1-0 lead.
Silvius added his tally in the 64th minute. On a breakaway, he fired a shot past senior backup Kang goalie Kyle Giilam and into the net. Silvius had a strong night with four total scoring chances, and he also attempted to create a few others as well.
Injury scare
But the Wildcats suffered a bit of a scare in the 78th minute when their key senior got injured; Silvius had to be helped off the field, but Mount Si coach Darren Brown told the Valley Record after the game that it was a stinger and that he would play Wednesday night, March 17, at Eastlake, a game which ended in a 1-1 tie.
Injuries and suspensions (senior defender Sam Joselyn was not in uniform and will be out for most of the season due to school-related discipline) aren’t a big concern for Brown.
“In years past it would be detrimental, because it would put us in a position where I would have to pull someone out of a regular position,” the coach said. “Now I have the depth where, if it was long term, I would be very concerned, but short term, we’d be fine.”
Herman had the advantage of the wind last Monday night; the east wind was gusting at around 25-30 mph most of the game, which allowed for the star goalie to make adjustments.
“If the wind’s coming at me, then I’ll try to drive it low,” he said. “But if it’s coming for me and then from my back, then I’ll hit them high and let the wind do the rest.”
In that Wildcat tie last Wednesday at Eastlake, sophomore Jonathan Cramer scored the lone Mount Si goal in the first half. The Wolves tied things in the second half, but Herman made a couple of key saves to keep it tied for the remainder of the game.
