Confidence key for Nolly

In soccer, the goalkeeper is the last line of defense for his team. In the case of junior goalie Jay Nolly, IU's last line of defense, goals come at a rare pace. He was strong in goal for the Hoosiers last weekend, as he posted two shutouts and has a 200-minute scoreless streak.\nNolly highlighted how he accomplishes the trying job and said confidence is the key.\n"Going into this season, I knew I had to be confident, being confident in my abilities," Nolly said. "(My confidence) has helped the defense. They're gaining experience, and that's helped me."\nWhile the junior stopper has been focusing on boosting his confidence, his coach knows it requires a certain demeanor to man the goal. Coach Jerry Yeagley described what it takes to be a soccer goalie.\n"First of all, goalkeepers have to have a certain personality," Yeagley said. "They have to have thick skin. Defenders are different. Goalkeepers can't make a mistake, unlike defenders. \n"Second, goalkeepers have to be able to handle the ball with both their hands and feet. They have to be very skilled in managing the soccer ball. Some people think goalkeepers are crazy, but it comes with the job."\nA native of Littleton, Colo., Nolly has garnered a wealth of soccer experience. He played for the Colorado Rush Soccer Club and led the Rush to three state titles. Nolly said that circumstance was invaluable in helping him become the goalkeeper he is today.\n"It's a top club," Nolly said, referring to the club team. "The coaching staff is the top of the line. It helps you make the transition to college."\nNolly's previous experience eased his transition to collegiate soccer. Last season Nolly owned a .78 goals against average, good for 17th in the nation. Even though Nolly didn't record a save versus UAB in a double-overtime contest, the Blazers threatened to score against him several times. UAB hit shots off the post a handful of times, as they belted eleven shots in the match. \nBut Nolly thwarted the threat each time, securing a 0-0 draw for IU and leading them to the win in the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic for the first time in five years.\nIn addition, he avoided letting California tally a single goal against him on Friday night. He notched a career-high nine saves against the Golden Bears, leading IU to a 3-0 victory.\nAs a result of his performances, Nolly was awarded the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday.\nThe upperclassmen said he was proud of this accomplishment.\n"It was real exciting," Nolly said. "Anytime you get recognized by somebody it's nice. But when you get recognized by the Big Ten Conference, it's really special because some of the best soccer in the country is played in the Big Ten." \nYeagley said Nolly has to be like a puppeteer in that he has to organize the defense. Yeagley added he has to supply confidence to the defense, especially the team's younger players. \nOne of those younger players said defense and goalkeeping is fundamental to the success of the squad. \n"Like everybody says, it starts with defense," freshman Jed Zayner said. "Jay's been a major part of our success. He's really focused all the time."\nMeanwhile Yeagley isn't completely satisfied with his goalkeeper's game. He said Nolly must still work on a few things in goal. Yeagley said Nolly must work on low balls to the corners of the goal and he has. \n"With Nolly being such a big person, he's had to work on his agility and footwork," Yeagley said. "It's his final frontier."\nAt the same time, Zayner is impressed with Nolly's approach to work.\n"His work ethic is top class," Zayner said. "He shows why he's a leader on the team, not letting distractions bother him or the other players down on the field." \nIn 2002, Nolly was tabbed First Team All-Big Ten Conference, as he compiled eight shutouts. This year he is poised to be even better and has started off on the right foot. \nYeagley said he has a great deal of confidence in his starting keeper.\n"Before the season started, I said Jay had the potential and ability to be one of the best goalkeepers in the country," Yeagley said. "I still believe that."\n-- Contact staff writer Zack Eldridge at zeldridg@indiana.edu.