Replacing an all-conference goalie is never an easy task.
It becomes even more difficult when the apparent heir to the net transfers to another school.
That was the situation men's lacrosse coach Glenn Thiel found himself in earlier this year. The coach has since added three goalies to his roster, but hasn't found his clear starter yet.
"They'll be competing all this fall and winter," Thiel said. "We've had probably the best goalie in the country for the past four years. Now we have to groom someone new."
The race has been narrowed to sophomore John Nichols and redshirt freshman Dave Baker, both of whom walked on to the team. Nichols backed up three time ECAC Goalie of the Year Drew Adams last season, seeing action in three games. Adams graduated in May.
At this time last year, Baker was on the ice instead of turf as a defenseman for the Penn State Ice Lions. He also played lacrosse on a club team.
In June, Baker was called to tryout for the lacrosse team and accepted his opportunity to hang up his skates for a spot on the Nittany Lions.
"This whole process has been really surreal," Baker said. "I went from club team to fall ball against a team in the national championship last year."
Thiel said all three goalies, Nichols, Baker and freshman Conor Baucum, saw time this fall and improved drastically.
Having competition between the goalies has only pushed them to try harder, and Thiel has been happy to see his goalies working hard -- which is something he said you don't always see with goalies.
"These kids are all pretty hard workers," Thiel said. "They like to be tested and see shooters. We're putting them in situations where they see different shots. They've done very well so far this fall."
The competition has only driven the goalies to compete harder than before.
"It's really wide open," Baker said. "Every practice, you're trying to beat the other person. You want to see them do well, but every time you see them do well, it pushes you to be even better."
Despite trying to beat the others for the starting role, Nichols said there is a definite bond between the goalies.
"It's not really a rivalry," he said. "It's definitely a friendship. Obviously we're all competing for the same spot, but we're basically on an island, and not many guys know what it's like to be in our position."
The goalies bounce ideas off each other, Nichols said, and help each other out when possible.
The two scrimmages in February before the season begins will be critical in deciding who the starting goalie will be, Thiel said. If need be, the coach isn't opposed to switching out during a game or using different goalies for different situations.
Though Thiel said he expects to pick a starter, Baker and Nichols wouldn't mind splitting time. Whatever is best for the team is okay with him, Nichols said, and Baker agreed.
"From my experience, the coaches know what they're doing," Baker said. "If we're gonna split time, that's their decision and I'll definitely accept it, and try to win it outright."
