When Brooke Chancey was in high school, she was a star.
A big fish in a little pond, the goalie from St. John’s Country Day School, a small Jacksonville private school, led her team to two Class 2A state titles and set the Florida high school record for shutouts in a season.
Yet on weekend afternoons in Gainesville, most fans at No. 8 Florida’s soccer games probably couldn’t even tell you who she was.
Such is the life of a collegiate backup goalie.
While tons of athletes come to college and have the realization that they are no longer superstars, backup soccer goalies have little opportunity to prove otherwise.
Chancey, a junior, is the de facto second-string goalie for the Gators, but she has played in just two games throughout her entire career.
“It’s a definite struggle, every single day,” she said. “Working hard, getting up at 6 a.m., going to weights, going to practice, just to know that you’re going to be second [string] at best, it’s hard.”
It’s a common struggle for goalies all across the country. They’re expected to show up everyday with a positive attitude and hard-working mindset, just to know that in all likelihood they won’t play.
“It’s the hardest thing on the team,” starting keeper Katie Fraine said. “In most other positions you’re still getting playing time. It is truly a humbling experience.”
Fraine is speaking from personal experience. Despite being an All-Southeastern Conference keeper, she too, had to ride the pine before finally getting a chance.
“When I was splitting time sophomore and junior year, it was the hardest time for me in my career,” she said.
Fraine explained that as a backup goalie there are so few opportunities to stand out, but when you get that one chance there’s so much pressure because if you don’t prove yourself it can get swept under your feet.
Chancey, who grew up rooting for the Gators, has taken her role in stride.
Knowing she is still just one play away from being the starter, Chancey said she competes her hardest waiting for her opportunity.
“I have to make sure my attitude is right everyday. We [other backup goalies] joke that we’re here to get Katie better.”
On Sept. 3, Chancey’s dream of finally entering a game came true.
At halftime, up 3-0 against Jacksonville University, the coaches told her she would go in once the Gators scored another goal. Overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation, she went and pleaded with her teammates to score again.
Just four minutes into the second half, McKenzie Barney, who promised Chancey they would score for her, scored the goal that signaled a rare opportunity for the backup.
Chancey allowed zero goals during her time in net.
“The whole team pulling for me was so cool,” she said. “I was so nervous, but so excited.”
