Goalkeeper on the attack

He may be Fremont High's lead defender, but Colton Birdsall is always on the attack.

“Since I'm an aggressive player, I like being challenged,” the FHS senior goalkeeper said. “It doesn't get in my head, it turns me up and makes me better. When I know I'm in the zone, I go with it. I'm aggressive, I'm the big guy, no one can touch me.”

Birdsall has become a force for opposing strikers to reckon with this season, while leaving his legacy on the FHS soccer program. The senior goalkeeper ranks first in career save percentage (90.22 percent) and is on pace to surpass the single-season mark of 92 percent. He has 151 saves this year compared to 13 goals allowed.

While he's an opposing figure with a muscular 5-11, 175-pound frame, Fremont High coach Sean Murphy points out Birdsall provides more than just a physical presence.

“Colt is very much a student of the game,” Murphy says. “He understands what to do and how to direct the defense where to go to make his job easier. When teams do take a shot, he usually saves it. He's a nice luxury to have.”

Birdsall has compiled a 6-4 record in his first full season as a starter for FHS, already matching last year's win total. Fremont's four losses have come to ranked opponents with a combined 36-5 record.

One game that stands out for Birdsall was a 1-0 loss to Lincoln Southeast. Against the Knights, the FHS goalkeeper recorded a school single-game record 28 saves - one shy of the Class A mark.

He was unstoppable.

“You can tell when Colt's feeling it. He's diving, making saves and punching it out,” Murphy said. “It's kind of like a guy playing basketball when the rim looks like an ocean and you can just shoot it. To him the ball looks like it's a beach ball.”

Birdsall is a four-year letterwinner at FHS, but didn't take over starting duties until last season. He missed two weeks due to injury last year.

Over the offseason, Birdsall plays for the Omaha Gladiators soccer club coached by Dave Cunningham. He also spends plenty of time in the weightroom, which has paid dividends.

“He's made himself into a better athlete and has committed himself in the weightroom,” Murphy said. “It shows in how he's built and put together. He's more physical and could probably start for anybody in the state.”

The Fremont coach is also quick to mention that his team has made drastic gains. This year's squad is just three seasons removed from the 2004 team that finished 2-12. In addition to Birdsall, seniors Blake Helget, Carlos Sanchez, Elias Reza and Trevor Danahy have played major roles in Fremont's transformation.

Birdsall credits how the team has come together as a main factor in its success.

“Last year and a few of the years before it was always two-sided - Hispanics and whites. That's the way we played,” Birdsall said. “There was always just Hispanics, always just whites. This year we have been able to communicate and connect together. We have became one unit.”

The Tigers are gunning for three more wins to finish the season, starting with this afternoon's 3 p.m. game against South Sioux City. If they reach that goal, Murphy believes FHS could secure the top spot in its district.

This fall, Birdsall will attend Dana College where he looks forward to taking his game to the next level.

“I'm looking forward to being better as a student and as a soccer player,” he said.