Flower steps up in goal in final season

When IU coach Amy Berbary and senior goalkeeper Shannon Flower first met after Berbary was hired as IU’s women’s soccer coach, they caught each other’s eyes in a meeting. The two of them knew they had met before, but it took a moment to realize where.

“When I walked into the room to meet the team after I was hired, Shannon and I both stared at each other,” Berbary said. “We both couldn’t figure out where we knew each other from, and then we both at the same time said, ‘England.’”

Flower was coached by Berbary in England on a 10-day trip when she was 15 years old as part of an Ohio South Olympic Development team trip. Five years later, the two were reunited.

“I knew that she was going to end up being a very good keeper, but I didn’t know where she ended up,” Berbary said. “But when I got here, I was pleasantly surprised that I was going to coach her as a collegiate player.”

Since coming together, Flower has become statistically one of the best goalkeepers in the country.

Prior to this season, Flower had recorded only two shutouts as a Hoosier. This year alone she has recorded five shutouts in six games, allowing only one goal.

Flower credits her defense’s concentration and ability to work together for the improvement.

“This year has been a lot about focus,” Flower said. “We have all been staying focused throughout the game, and we have communicated a lot better this year. We all mesh really well together.”

Part of that ability to mesh well comes with comfort.

Flower and fellow senior Lara Ross have played together since they were kids. They grew up together, which Ross believes has helped build strong communication that helps the defense play better.

“She has been my goalie since age 10 or 11,” Ross said. “I have always felt comfortable with her back there.”

Ross said years of playing alongside Flower have bolstered their communication, which has helped the Hoosier defense become one of the best in the country early on in the season.

IU is one of seven teams in the nation to allow only one goal in six games.

IU Assistant Coach Sergio Gonzalez, who works extensively with Flower and the goalkeepers, said he believes Flower’s ability to stay calm is contagious to the rest of her teammates.

“We always joke that we wonder what her heart rate monitor looks like during games because she is always so calm,” he said. “She instills that ability to stay calm in her back, keeping them calm and collect when things get crazy.”

Gonzalez said the ability to stay calm and collected under pressure is what makes Flower the player she is.

“As a goalkeeper, you’re the last line of defense,” he said. “If you’re all over the place, your teammates are going to be in the same mind frame.”

That calmness showed up in the Hoosier’s Aug. 30 win against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After letting in a goal early, Flower buckled down, denying all goals the rest of the game, while the Hoosier offense came back and took the lead to win 3-1.

After letting in the early goal, Flower said she remained calm, focusing on avoiding another mistake.

“There was just no communication on the backside runner,” Flower said. “I took that away and just had to pick up communication and focus on not letting another goal in.”

Flower’s defense has been key for the Hoosiers this year, Berbary said, adding she’s consistently made at least one big save per half, anchoring the defense.

“She is a calm, quiet leader,” Berbary said. “She has worked very hard to get into the position to play.”

When the defense collapses, Flower has seemingly been there for the save. Last Friday against Eastern Michigan, Flower made a leaping punch save to keep a potentially game-changing header from going in, preserving the 1-0 win.

Gonzalez said he believes Flower’s ability to make clutch saves, as in that game, is exactly what makes her a good goalkeeper.

“She has been very steady,” he said. “I think that’s exactly what you want in a goalkeeper.”

Even though Flower is ranked as one of the statistically best goalies in the nation, she said stats aren’t really important to her.

“It is kind of cool to look at, but that is about it,” Flower said. “There are some games that I haven’t had many shots on me, so I have to take that into account and not get cocky about it.”

Although she doesn’t bother with stats, Flower did enjoy being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after her performance in the opening weekend of the
season.

“It is cool,” Flower said, “but I try to remain focused and not let it get to my head.”

Flower will be tested this weekend as St. John’s sophomore Rachel Daly, who leads the nation in goals, will travel to Bloomington for a 6 p.m. game Friday.

“We need to make her beat us by not giving her any open shots or any freebies,” Flower said. “We just want to make her work for it. Again, we need to stay focused for all 90 minutes.”

Although Flower is playing the best she has in her career, she still believes that she can improve. She believes the addition of having Gonzalez coach her has helped her become a better goalie.

“I think there is definitely room for more,” Flower said. “I’m a very technical goalkeeper, and this has been the first year that I have a real technical goalkeeper coach. Seeing how much better I have gotten in such a small amount of time makes me think there is more.”

Flower joked about only having two months of her career left, but wants to end on a strong note.

“Unfortunately, there is just a little bit more time left,” she said. “But better late than never, I guess.”

Follow reporter Sam Beishuizen on Twitter @Sam_Beishuizen.