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Gartner tries to stay focused
Liberty sophomore goalkeeper has done well with limited opportunities
By Kevin Goodwin
Most soccer goalkeepers live on an island. It can be a lonely existence.
But Liberty High junior Stephanie Gartner must have been feeling like a castaway most of this season.
Gartner has had a great view of Liberty’s domination during the regular season. The Blue Jays outscored their opponents 99-10 in 21 regular-
season games. Many times, Gartner was all alone on Liberty’s defensive end, waiting for any action to come her way.
Liberty’s 2-0 win against Blue Springs on Friday, May 9, was Liberty’s seventh straight shutout. The Blue Jays last allowed a goal April 16 against Lee’s Summit North.
“The biggest thing for me is to try and stay focused,” Gartner said. “I have to think that something could go wrong and that I always have to be prepared. If it does go wrong, I have to be ready.”
Gartner does admit to a bit of daydreaming when she’s at least 45 yards away from the action for games at a time.
“You can get distracted at times,” Gartner said. “I think we are doing a great job. I trust my defense.”
A knee injury to last year’s starting goalkeeper, Hannah Hurla, thrust Gartner into the starting lineup at the beginning of the season. Gartner handled the transition well.
“Stephanie’s done a good job,” Liberty coach Tom Rottjakob said. “It’s tough. It’s one thing where if you are getting a lot of shots, you are going to be ready. She hasn’t had a lot of shots all year. There haven’t been that many games where it’s one shot after another. You can fall asleep a little bit.
“You have to make the must-saves. That’s all I’ve ever asked from a goalkeeper. If you make the must-saves, we’ll do the rest. If we aren’t doing the rest and they put one in, it’s not your fault.”
Liberty’s senior defensive core of Audrey Henderson, Courtney Danze and Lillie Raasch, along with freshmen Maddie Mason and Kaely Tott, have helped Gartner transition to the varsity level.
Gartner has found her voice as the season has progressed.
“At the beginning of the season, I was freaked out coming up to varsity,” Gartner said. “But I’ve always been vocal, but once I got more comfortable on the varsity team, I feel like I had to have a voice. I see more of the field and if I see someone open, I have to say something.”
Practice time has become a crucial part of Gartner’s development. She plays against some of the best forwards in the Kansas City area on days when Liberty doesn’t have a game.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Gartner said. “They are so good and they challenge me. I’ve gotten a lot out of practice.”
Sports writer Kevin Goodwin can be reached at 389-6652 or kgoodwin@npgco.com.
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But Liberty High junior Stephanie Gartner must have been feeling like a castaway most of this season.
Gartner has had a great view of Liberty’s domination during the regular season. The Blue Jays outscored their opponents 99-10 in 21 regular-
season games. Many times, Gartner was all alone on Liberty’s defensive end, waiting for any action to come her way.
Liberty’s 2-0 win against Blue Springs on Friday, May 9, was Liberty’s seventh straight shutout. The Blue Jays last allowed a goal April 16 against Lee’s Summit North.
“The biggest thing for me is to try and stay focused,” Gartner said. “I have to think that something could go wrong and that I always have to be prepared. If it does go wrong, I have to be ready.”
Gartner does admit to a bit of daydreaming when she’s at least 45 yards away from the action for games at a time.
“You can get distracted at times,” Gartner said. “I think we are doing a great job. I trust my defense.”
A knee injury to last year’s starting goalkeeper, Hannah Hurla, thrust Gartner into the starting lineup at the beginning of the season. Gartner handled the transition well.
“Stephanie’s done a good job,” Liberty coach Tom Rottjakob said. “It’s tough. It’s one thing where if you are getting a lot of shots, you are going to be ready. She hasn’t had a lot of shots all year. There haven’t been that many games where it’s one shot after another. You can fall asleep a little bit.
“You have to make the must-saves. That’s all I’ve ever asked from a goalkeeper. If you make the must-saves, we’ll do the rest. If we aren’t doing the rest and they put one in, it’s not your fault.”
Liberty’s senior defensive core of Audrey Henderson, Courtney Danze and Lillie Raasch, along with freshmen Maddie Mason and Kaely Tott, have helped Gartner transition to the varsity level.
Gartner has found her voice as the season has progressed.
“At the beginning of the season, I was freaked out coming up to varsity,” Gartner said. “But I’ve always been vocal, but once I got more comfortable on the varsity team, I feel like I had to have a voice. I see more of the field and if I see someone open, I have to say something.”
Practice time has become a crucial part of Gartner’s development. She plays against some of the best forwards in the Kansas City area on days when Liberty doesn’t have a game.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Gartner said. “They are so good and they challenge me. I’ve gotten a lot out of practice.”
Sports writer Kevin Goodwin can be reached at 389-6652 or kgoodwin@npgco.com.