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Colleges

Goalie on track to go out in style

By NANCY MORGAN
Published September 24, 2006

Bryan Linn Countryside closes out his college soccer career at Newberry College this season, and the goalkeeper vows to look back on his four years with no regrets.

"I sat down with the other seniors on the team and we all want to look back on a quality season," said Linn, 21. "We don't want to have any what-ifs or if-onlys staring at us when we're done.

"One of our biggest rivals is Presbyterian College, which is only about 25 minutes from us. We've never lost to them on their field and we want to beat them this year."

Linn and his teammates handed Presbyterian a 2-1 loss last week, with Linn playing the full 90 minutes and collecting four saves for the Indians.

Through last week's games, Linn has recorded 23 saves and earned a 1.07 goals per average. Linn has the school's second-best goals per average. This season, Linn is splitting time with Chamberlain graduate Will Dieterich and the duo are in a five-way tie for 24th in Division II in team save percentage.

Linn began playing soccer at the age of six with the Little Kickers at Countryside. When his under-10 soccer team needed a goalie, Linn stepped up and never looked back. He played for the Clearwater Chargers from the under-11 age group to under-18, collecting a state championship in the under-11 division. In high school, Linn helped the Cougars to a region final his junior year.

"I always had it in my head that I wanted to play college soccer, and I also knew I wanted to be a doctor in some area," Linn said.

"Newberry was a perfect fit for me. It's a small school and has a good balance that I could see would allow me to play soccer and yet not be so demanding that I couldn't achieve my goal in school.

"I found that soccer in college was faster, did require more work than in high school and was more physical."

After participating in six games his freshman season, Linn played himself into the starting lineup as a sophomore. He led the South Atlantic Conference in saves with 122 and was named SAC Player of the Week during the second half of the season.

"A goalkeeper needs to be able to communicate the defense to the team and distribute the ball with both hands and feet," Linn said. "You've got to be able to instill confidence in the defense even when things aren't going well."

Linn credits Rob Onan, director of the Chargers program, with providing encouragement during his career and his parents for supporting him, especially throughout his four years in college.

"After my four years here, I'll hang my head high, whether we do good or bad, knowing that I made it through," Linn said. "I had pretty good time management and self-discipline skills to combine school and soccer, and for that, I can be proud."

Along with Linn's soccer achievements, he is sporting a 3.7 grade point average in his double-major studies of biology and chemistry.

MORE SOCCER: Sophomore Brian Shriver (Clearwater) is in a three-way tie for goals scored for North Carolina, including a winner against No. 13 Penn State. The forward has currently posted five goals.

- Abbie Harms (Lakewood) scored three second-half goals for

the U.S. Coast Guard and Mary Morgan (Lakewood) added two in a 6-0 win over Salve Regina.

- Junior defender Megan Honig (Countryside) has started Columbus State's first six games and has collected one assist.

- Sophomore forward Kassy Boivin (Countryside) has played in six games for the Columbus State Cougars, starting three, and has posted two assists. Cougar freshman goalie Kelly Nimmo (Countryside) has three saves in three games.

- In six games, freshman midfielder Sam Freedman (Clearwater Central Catholic) has scored one goal for Columbus State.

- Lafayette graduate Buster Wiand (Clearwater) is playing midfield for Loyola while pursuing a masters in finance.

VOLLEYBALL: Warner Southern junior libero Shannon Sterner (Northeast) has recorded 99 digs, including 14 in a win over Northwood.

- Anna Sevcik (Countryside) is a junior middle blocker and Brittany Tuliano (Northeast) is a defensive specialist for Webber.

- Chelsea Lazar (East Lake) was one of four players posting double-digit kills for Marshall in its win over East Carolina.

The junior middle blocker recorded 12 and added three blocks in a win over Grambling State. Lazar collected six kills against West Virginia for the Thundering Herds' fifth consecutive win.

FOOTBALL: In N.C. State's 37-17 loss to Southern Mississippi, Donald Bowens (St. Petersburg) caught four passes for 76 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown pass.

- Redshirt senior Jon Holt (Clearwater) started at right tackle for N.C. State against Southern Mississippi. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Ted Larsen (Palm Harbor University) recorded two tackles and redshirt junior linebacker LeRue Rumph (Clearwater Central Catholic) had one.

- Other Pinellas players on N.C. State's squad are sophomore quarterback Harrison Beck (Countryside/Nebraska), freshman safety Lucas Darr (Countryside) and sophomore safety Bobby Floyd (Countryside).

- Junior wide receiver Derrell Houser (Clearwater) caught a 16-yard pass to advance Webber within striking distance against Shorter College. Webber went on to win 13-6.

- Senior defensive back Tori Zaniol (Seminole) has recorded 12 tackles in Denison's first two games.

- Adam Lewis (Dunedin) is a freshman running back for the Denison Big Red and Lawrence Dimmitt (Clearwater) is a senior linebacker.

BASKETBALL: Jimmy Baxter (Boca Ciega/South Florida) spent last season playing for France's JDA Dijon Bourgogne. This season, the 26-year old guard is signed with the Edimes Pavia in the Italian League.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified September 24, 2006, 09:02:19]