NASHUA TELEGRAPH: Greyhound soccer goalkeeper Lauren Keating learned from the best . . .

October 28, 2008

Former Nashua, NH North goalie capitalizes on her shot at Assumption . . .

By GARY FITZ

Staff Writer

Nashua, NH Telegraph

Most college athletes can't wait to get out on the field. Nashua's Lauren Keating sat on the bench at Assumption College last fall, watched and learned.

A freshman playing behind senior All-American Lauren Matysiak, Keating saw how a goalie could be the vocal leader of the entire defense. Matysiak, a four-year starter, graduated with school records for shutouts (31), goals against average (0.97) and career starts (75) and wins (39).

"It's amazing, but she helped me so much last year,'' Keating said, "mostly in terms of leadership on the field.

"I've become a completely different player. I'm more disciplined and more patient with the players in front of me.''

Keating's high school career at Nashua North was good in one respect. Playing on very weak teams she saw more action in and around the net in one season than many goalies will encounter in a lifetime, facing over 20 shots per game.

Now as a sophomore starter for the Greyhounds, Keating has allowed 1.35 goals per game and posted three shutouts. Assumption, 7-7-2 on the season, plays at St. Anselm this afternoon.

During her years of club soccer Keating played with and against many of the players she now faces in the Northeast-10 Conference, including former high school teammate Meghan Flynn, a Franklin Pierce forward.

"It seems like I know somebody on every team we play,'' Keating said, "and I played youth soccer for several of the coaches.''

Keating said she keep track of her former high school team which hasn't won a game since she left and didn't win many with her in net. She lives a mile from the school and sometimes works out there in the summer.

A history and secondary education major, Keating could see returning to North one day as a teacher and coach.