Lynden’s Holt leads strong crop of NWC netminders

Lynden’s Emily Holt couldn’t have described a goalkeeper’s mindset any better.

“All goalies have to be a little bit crazy,” the senior all-state net-minder said in a phone interview last Tuesday.

She went on to describe how that reflects her play.

“I don’t think it’s a secret that I’m an aggressive player,” Holt said. “I’ve always been a bit of a daredevil, super high energy. I think it fits my personality.”

With that fearless state of mind, Holt has established herself as the Northwest Conference’s top goalkeeper, no easy task considering the plethora of talented shot-savers in the division.

Sehome’s Nicole Carlson, Meridian’s Sydney Gospodinovich, Ferndale’s Rachel Neher, Sedro-Woolley’s Charmaine DeWit and Burlington-Edison’s Jenny Gustafson all force the NWC’s forwards to “do something spectacular,” as Sehome coach Andria Fountain put it after facing Meridian last week.

Holt, who may be in line for all-state recognition, has allowed only eight goals to find the net this season, leading the Lions to their first district playoff in school history.

“I think she’s a great shot saver, but one of the most important things as a goalie is to be able to communicate,” Lynden coach Carlos Melendez said in a phone interview. “She does a great job of communicating to her defense. They look up to her and they all listen to her.”

Holt draws plenty of her skills from being a lock-down defender, a role she enjoys playing, for Lynden’s basketball team.

“It transfers incredibly well,” Holt said. “Playing defense in basketball is the exact same lateral movement as playing goalkeeper.”

She also brings a background as a field player, allowing her to take free kicks up to midfield and sometimes farther. It’s the reason she has a goal and two assists on the year, something very uncommon for goalies. The skill is an asset few teams have from their goalkeeper, and one that gives Lynden another weapon.

“It’s a huge bonus to have ... to have her start our attack,” Melendez said. “Other teams will take a goal kick and have to be defending again. It’s a very advantageous position to be in.”

While Holt, who has drawn the attention of NCAA Division II schools, will be leaving the conference after this season, there’s still plenty of talent that will remain in goal.

Gospodinovich and Carlson are both juniors while Neher and Gustafson are only sophomores.

The youth of the skilled net-minders means NWC teams aren’t soon going to have an easy time scoring and much can be said about the impact that has on forwards.

“It changes set pieces, changes our attack,” Melendez said. “We’re not able to put balls right on the goalie. We have to try to work it in and get goals that way.”

But a team with a good goalie usually brings strong forwards as well. With countless hours of practice going up against a top-tier shot-stopper, attacking players also benefit.

“It definitely increases their game because it’s not just a matter of shooting, it’s about finding corners,” Melendez said. “You have to be that much better.”

Holt will have quite the test of skill as the regular season winds down. Lynden faces Burlington-Edison, Ferndale and Squalicum to close the year.

With a district playoff berth already secure, though, any more success is just icing on the cake.

Top Whatcom County goalkeepers

Nicole Carlson, Sehome

Carlson emerged as a sophomore for the Mariners, helping Sehome to a state berth. She had a 24-save performance in a tie with Squalicum last season. Now a junior, Carlson has continued to grow as a leader in the back. She’s only allowed seven goals in conference play.

Sydney Gospodinovich, Meridian

Sehome coach Andria Fountain said everything you need to know about Gospodinovich after the Mariners tallied two goals against Meridian earlier this season. “We knew we were going up against one of the best goalies in the conference. We knew we had to do something pretty spectacular to get one in tonight.”

Emily Holt, Lynden

There’s a reason Holt has piqued the interest of NCAA Division II colleges. She’s extremely athletic, a great vocal leader and knows how to be in position to make the big save. Her background as a field player gives the Golden Eagles an added weapon from the back.

Rachel Neher, Ferndale

The youngest of the star goalies that play in the Northwest Conference, Neher flashed her talents in last year’s playoff run — the farthest Ferndale has advanced in school history. She was huge in a 1-0 loss to Edmonds-Woodway and as a sophomore has bolstered a strong Ferndale defensive line.

This story was originally published October 20, 2015 at 8:37 AM with the headline "Lynden’s Holt leads strong crop of NWC netminders."