Ryan Webb defends the goal against would-be invaders. Photo by Marvin Pfeiffer

Around campus, Ryan Webb appears to be a typical, easy-going student.

Place the Clark senior goalkeeper on a soccer field, and he instantly becomes this talkative individual with a burst of aggressive energy.

And the Clark Cougars welcome the personality change. When Webb is in his soccer zone, good times usually happen.

Good times have come regularly this season as Webb’s protection at the net has enabled the Cougars (8-2-3, 5-0-4) to stay in the heat of the District 28-5A race.

“I am relaxed most of the time, but the adrenaline gets something going inside me,” Webb said. “I become pretty vocal. I know have to be there for my teammates. It comes naturally for me. But it takes one of a kind to become a goalie.

“Every goalie has their thing that makes them who they are. I guess my thing is aggressiveness. You have to roll with it. If you get scored on, you have to go forward and learn from it.”

Through that personality is also athletic ability. At 6-foot, 4-inches, he has the leaping ability to block the shots that may seem out of a goalie’s reach. However, he also the swift moves to make the diving stops.

“Ryan has good size,” Clark coach Eddie Ashley said. “He has the reach and that can be intimidating to teams. He is doing well this year. He is coming through for us more and more.”

Webb has found a unique way to succeed at keeper – playing a different position.

When he plays for his club team (Classic Elite 90), Webb is stationed at center midfielder. It is a different role since it allows to opportunities to score. It also means he knows how a scorer thinks.

No question it comes in handy when he is back at goalkeeper.

“Playing midfielder has definitely given me better vision,” Webb said. “It helps my awareness. I know what I need to do stop them from scoring.”

Even with the athletic skills, Webb knows the vocal part still plays an important role to his success.

Because of his view from the net, Webb becomes the “eyes of his teammates” and relays what he sees to his teammates. That communication between keeper and defenders has not only made Webb better at his position, but it has helped Clark make major strides this year.

“My defense has made me a much better player,” Webb said. “When we work together it is a well-oiled machine. There is so much respect for each other. We’re playing with a lot more confidence. Coach Ashley has taught us to play with more heart and passion.

“We’re doing what we need to do to win. We have players coming and working the ball. They know how to put it in the net.”

And Webb knows how to keep the ball out of the net.”