Keenan forgoes credit to conquer opponents, bruises

Kevin Keenan walked onto the field wearing a filthy pair of gray Nittany Lion sweatpants, carrying his lacrosse stick and knowing that the University of Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers were gunning for him.

Although Keenan hardly ever touches the ball, he is an essential part of the offense and defense.

Keenan is the goalie.

"You have 36 square feet of area to cover and you know that they can put the ball anywhere," he said.

Although many lacrosse players begin to play as midfielders or attackers, Keenan said a friend prompted him to try goalie when he was in third grade.

Despite the fact he only is actively involved in the game for a short amount of time and often is the farthest person from the action, he stands alert at all times.

As a goalie Keenan also alerts the defense about where the ball is on the field because the defenders are concentrating on the opponents they are covering. Keenan also said it is important to keep the defense informed about screens or slides taking place.

Lion defenseman Hamilton Pollard said Keenan does a good job of being a leader on the field and off the field as well. Along with leading the defense, Hamilton said Keenan does a good job of helping freshmen adjust to life as collegiate athletes.

"He is the team leader and he is an asset on the field no matter what," he said. "Kevin is one of my best friends. He's one of those guys that makes sure that everyone is doing well."

Penn State coach Glenn Thiel said Keenan's position on the team makes him a leader by default.

"He's the communicator," he said. "He's the leader for the team and the defense, on the field or off the field."

Keenan said he has been playing well so far this season, but he knows he hasn't been meeting the high standards that he sets for himself.

"I haven't played to my potential yet," he said. "I haven't been making the tough saves that I expect myself to make."

Keenan, who made 17 saves against UMBC, said one of the biggest things about being a goalie is concentration. By concentrating on the ball, he is able to make saves despite the speed of a shot.

"You really don't think about (the speed)," he said. "You just try to get your stick or a piece of your body on it."

But Pollard said he is glad he is not a goalie and he prefers his role on the team as a defenseman.

"I think (Keenan's) nuts. I wouldn't want someone throwing over 100 miles per hour at me," he said. "Thank God we have people that want to do that and we are fortunate to have someone who is good at it."

Not all of the shots against Keenan are line drives, though. He also faces shots that are bounced intentionally, which can be more difficult to save at times.

"Bounce shots can be easier because the ball travels a longer path," he said. "But if the ball takes a funny bounce, it's a bad break for you."

Keenan said the hardest aspect of his job he must accept is that he is unable to celebrate with his teammates after he makes a good play whereas the attack and midfield can be happy after a goal. Because the lacrosse team looks to work the ball up the field quickly, Keenan has to look for an outlet pass right away.

"After a save you think, 'Let's clear the ball,' " he said. "You really don't have time to slap your defense high five and say, 'Good job.' "

With shots firing that fast at his bare legs, Keenan says he gets a lot of bruises. However, he said he has grown accustomed to the pain.

"I get a lot of bruises. You just have to go in and get them iced up," he said. "In practice it hurts. In the game you don't even think about it. You are just so psyched up.

"The first thing that goes through your head is to just get the ball to the offense. You don't worry about the pain."