Lakewood's Masters protecting net with record-setting prowess

HEBRON - It is not a record Tanner Masters necessarily wanted to set this season, but it certainly illustrates the wonderful season the Lakewood sophomore is having.

Masters has been a bright light during a dim season for the Lancers. He already has broken the program's record for saves in a single season and is charging up the Ohio High School Athletic Association leaderboard.

"I don't really expect it. It just it is what it is," Masters said. "It is my sophomore year, and hopefully we are just building the team for our senior year to being the best we can be.

"It is a little bit exciting and very — how do I describe it? — very intense knowing that each game I am averaging around 25 saves and that I'm climbing up the board," he added.

Masters entered the week with 310 saves, good for 14th place on the OHSAA single-season list. He could climb into the top 5.

Lakewood is finishing on a good note, having edged Highland 3-2 on Saturday for its first victory of the season. The Lancers host Licking County League foe Watkins Memorial to wrap up the regular season Thursday and visit Columbus Academy in the Division II tournament next Wednesday.

After graduating seven seniors, Masters said the Lancers knew they would be in for a rebuilding year. He has done his best to keep them competitive.

"It's mainly thinking about what the team can do better and what I can do better personally to see how we can prevent those (shots) from going in," Masters said. "You don't want to let yourself down after three or four goals go in. You want to keep yourself up and look forward to the next save."

Masters noted the strong play of junior Tim Jackson and sophomore newcomer Patrick Guerin. They in turn appreciate the intensity and leadership he brings to the last line of defense.

"Tanner does get hot-headed a little bit, but the thing is that's part of being the captain," Jackson said. "You have to know when to control your players, and Tanner definitely knows what he's doing. ... We know what the communications are. When Tanner tells me something, I spread that to everybody else."

Masters began his soccer career as a wing on his 8-and-under team, but it was not long before he filled in at goalkeeper and fell in love with the position.

Masters since has worked with a number of coaches and has played in the Crew SC Pre-Academy and Olympic Development Program to see the best competition possible.

"I just put forth the effort, worked towards it and realized that I had something going for myself," Masters said. "I stayed with it and started going to higher-level coaches, started working with more teams, just different branches of coaches and where they come from. That's really how improve, exposing yourself to different coaches and different atmospheres."

Masters is dreaming big, shooting to earn a scholarship from either nationally-ranked Akron or a Big Ten program.

For now, he is working to get Lakewood back on firm footing in the LCL and central Ohio.

"The team has definitely improved overall on defense," Masters said. "Last year, we had an amazing offense, but we are trying to rebuild just the way high school works."

ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com

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