You can hear Tanner Critchfield a lot more this season. What hasn't changed is his dominance in the Murray High goal.
Photo by John Coon
It takes only a few minutes of watching him throwing himself on point-blank shots and listening to him bark out instructions to get a distinct impression that
Tanner Critchfield is a natural-born goalkeeper.
Indeed, the
Murray High junior is a cornerstone for a tough Spartan defense that has allowed an average of one goal per match this season. He has produced 15 career shutouts in 27 games starting for Murray's varsity team.
Critchfield made his varsity debut a year ago and showed right away he had all the tools to be a dominant goalkeeper. He notched 12 clean sheets in 19 matches to lead the state in shutouts in 2013 and helped the Spartans reach the Class 4A semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Bountiful in a shootout.
As good as things turned out for him last season, Critchfield believes he has taken a step forward as a junior. With the benefit of experience, he said he feels like he is more of the type of leader he needs to be at his position.
"Last year, since I was a sophomore, I felt like I wasn't quite in control as much of my team," Critchfield said. "I didn't communicate as well. But this year, I feel like – just because of experience and being a little older – I have a little more control of my team and where I want them."
Tanner Critchfield, Murray
File photo by Steve Carnahan
The surprising thing is that Critchfield came to be a goalie almost by accident. He spent his first four years in youth soccer as a midfielder. Then, at age 12, his club team suddenly had a big hole to fill when the team's goalkeeper quit the sport.
Critchfield volunteered to give the position a shot for a while. He hasn't looked back since that time.
Murray coach Bryan DeMann said Critchfield earned his spot not through making highlight-reel saves, but through sound fundamentals. DeMann likes the junior's mental approach to the game. Critchfield plays smart soccer and does plenty of defensive work to keep many shots from even developing in the first place.
"He's aware of what's happening on the field and he's good at giving instructions and keeping guys organized in front of him," DeMann said.
Critchfield makes an effort to model composure for his team during every match. No matter what calls a referee makes or fouls opposing players commit, he does his best to stay calm and level-headed.
Emotions can get out of whack easily in a soccer game. Critchfield understands this reality. But he also realizes it doesn't do his team any good if he or any other team leaders lose their heads in tense moments.
"When we're emotional, especially this team, we tend to make mistakes," Critchfield said. "It will feed into the other team's emotions and we start to make more mistakes. When I'm positive and keep that emotion going, it's really helpful."
Murray (5-1-1) is looking like a title contender once again this season. The Spartans can point to Critchfield's defensive leadership as a major reason. With him stationed between the posts, virtually any team can expect to endure a tough, physical and low-scoring game going against Murray.
The Spartans allowed just 11 goals a season ago and have yielded only eight goals so far in 2014.
"Having Tanner around is a huge benefit," DeMann said. "It keeps us in any game. We feel like if we're within a goal or so, we are in any game and we can strike and get something back. We don't feel like with Tanner in there we're ever going to get ourselves behind or in a hole we can't make up."
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can email him at john_coon@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports
