Sophomore women’s soccer goalkeeper, Alivia Dietsch, is the go-to-player to make the team laugh a little harder and worry a little less. As a goalkeeper, her role on the team (besides guarding the net) is also to be the one to keep the team going even if times get hard.
Being the team’s head goalie leaves Dietsch with a lot of responsibility and a trust from her teammates that cannot be replaced nor created overnight.
So far this season, Dietsch has recorded 53 total saves while only letting in 18 goals, accumulating a 75 saving percentage during this current season. Dietsch has appeared and started in goal every game except for the game against Neumann.
“It’s a privilege to be the goalie for the team,” Dietsch said. “Knowing that we’re all working toward the same goal and having them trust me as their keeper just feels good.”
Dietsch’s teammates feel comfortable playing and never worry when they make a mistake because Dietsch is always there to pick up their slack. Dietsch is the eyes on the field and the one that the team feels confident with guarding their goal.
“She saves us on defense a lot and me personally she’s saved a few times,” Sam Penecale, sophomore defensive back, said. “She’s just smart with what she does back there, and makes good decisions all around.”
According to teammates, Dietsch never comes to practice half-hearted but ready to work and give her all to the team. Even on the worst days, Dietsch does not let her mood affect her play, but only uses it to motivate her.
Although, to some, Dietsch may not be the most talkative person around school on the field is where her voice is heard and she is always the first one to add a comment from the game.
Dietsch is the one to inform her team on what they can do to help her, things the team needs to work on and most importantly, what the team did well.
Alex Petrongolo, sophomore midfielder, said, “She is a very big part of our team and without her it would be hard to succeed in our goal ‘To Drive for Five.’
The pressure is on Dietsch whether it be from the forward missing the ball, or to the last defender unable to stop the girl on the fast break the ball is in Dietsch’s court now. If Dietsch were to miss the ball, the team does not have the opportunity to recover and stop the ball.
Dietsch said, “That goal is on the board no matter what and you can’t help but think it’s your fault.”
Soccer is not the only thing that matters to Dietsch. The balance between soccer and maintaining her academic performance is also something that she holds close to her heart.
