Playing varsity soccer is a challenge on its own. Being a goalie is the hardest position you could play in soccer. Being a varsity goalie can be a tough job no matter how athletic or skilled you are.

Coach Sommo, goalie coach for New Providence High School, said: “The position takes a lot of responsibility. It takes a lot of confidence. But it gives you a lot of freedom to play how you want. And our players show it well.”

The responsibility comes from the fact that you are the only person that is stopping the other team from scoring. The freedom that comes from this position is that you can play it the way you want and play it almost all by yourself. Being on varsity, you are going against the best high school soccer players, and it can be tough to judge the teams and players.

New Providence High School goalie Anthony Wycko said: “Going into games, you don’t fully know what to expect. Some teams are really good, and some teams are really bad. Overall, it’s challenging.”

To be a varsity goalie, you need to have fast reaction times and quick reflexes because you need to be able to stop the ball at any time. Players at the varsity level are fast and quick, so you need to be just as fast.

“You have to predict where the ball is going, or else you won’t stop it. As soon as the player goes to kick, you have to make a decision,” Wycko said.

As of October 8, 2025, New Providence boys soccer has a record of 7-2-1 and allows less than one goal per game.