Nicole Amari has created a new identity as an Ohio keeper.
Replacing the most decorated goalkeeper in program history would be difficult. Doing so while establishing a distinct identity is even more challenging.
Nicole Amari has done both.
Coming into the 2014 season, Ohio parted ways with graduate Mattie Liston, the program’s all-time leader in saves, career shutouts and most minutes on the field.
Yet Amari, a senior from Vernon Hills, Illinois who only appeared in a total of 10 games in her first three seasons, has stepped into the role as the new starter and has created her own persona, rather than following Liston’s footsteps.
“She’s picked up where Mattie left off,” Ohio coach Aaron Rodgers said. “They’re two totally different goalkeepers, but we have not missed a step with Nicole. The girls know that if they get beat, she’ll be there to back them up.”
Amari comes off as a scrappy keeper, who has no problem getting dirty to keep the opposition out of goal.
Despite her shorter stature — 5-foot-5 compared to Liston’s 5-foot-9 — Amari’s quick reflexes allow her to pull off a save and quickly get back on her feet and make another play.
And while Ohio’s 3-5 record is hardly an indication, she has been dominant between the posts, averaging more than 6.6 saves per match.
“While they’re two different players, Nicole has done an excellent job and we are very confident in her,” junior defender Grace Campbell said. “She’s very vocal, sees everything and she’s definitely a leader in the back.”
But those same reflexes, which are one of her strengths, are sometimes a point of weakness for the team. On multiple occasions this season, her defenders have expected too much of her and have gotten caught out of position.
In a 3-0 loss to Kentucky on Aug. 31, Amari, a senior majoring in biological sciences, pieced together 13 saves but gave up goals that stemmed from defensive miscommunication that allowed unmarked Wildcats have free attempts on goal.
Rodgers has stated multiple times that Ohio will concede goals, but it’s the manner in which goals are allowed that is worth studying.
Giving up goals to an opponent who played in the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup, such as Dayton’s Alexis Campbell, is a lot more understandable than a Kentucky player finishing a rebound because she was unmarked.
But some of those breakdowns have been from Amari’s teammates rather than the keeper herself.
“Sometimes I feel like the girls may put too much confidence in her,” Rodgers said. “But they trust her, which is a better thing than not.”
Regardless, Ohio has someone reliable between the posts. Amari has been a leader throughout the nonconference part of the schedule and will continue to lead her team into Mid-American Conference play beginning Friday.
“I truly think she’s done great,” Liston said, after watching Amari play against Xavier on Sept. 5. “It’s been fantastic and I’m very excited for her.”
@charliehatch_
gh181212@ohio.edu
