While Camden Fauth has produced many memorable moments the past four seasons, it’s his ability to forget that helps make him the player that he is.
The Aberdeen Central standout goalkeeper is a big reason why the Golden Eagles are headed to the quarterfinals of the Class AA boys’ soccer playoffs on Saturday to face Sioux Falls Lincoln. He has recorded shutouts in six of his last nine outings, including his 26th career shutout in Tuesday’s opening round victory over Watertown.
“I wanted to get that last ever home game and finish on a dub (win),” Fauth said, “and thankfully I got that dub and a shutout.”
While Fauth has made his share of big saves during his four years as a starter, he said having a short-term memory is a key to being a goalie, calling it a 10-second memory.
“That’s the thing as a goalie, when you let one in, you just have to let it go right away,” Fauth said. “If you don’t let it go, it just gets in your head and it’s going to keep going downhill from there.”
While Fauth gets recognized for what he prevents in goal, there is much more to his game than just stopping shots, according to Central coach Lance Mohr.
“A big part of our system and the style that we play is we ask the goalie to do more than most in the sense that Camden has the ball at his feet a lot,” Mohr said. “Camden is actually completing passes throughout the course of the game that aren’t punts, and that aren’t driving goal kicks, but he’s responsible for communicating and you don’t just drop that ability on someone who can’t handle it.”
Of course, having a player like Fauth as your last line of defense is a comforting feeling. He has proven his worth time and time during his years as the starting goalie.
“The biggest thing you notice is that he’s always going to be there and he’s always going to have a chance to save it,” Mohr said. “He’s not going to lose focus, he’s not going to mishandle something. He’s just so reliable.”
Fauth said that some of his soccer skills have been enhanced by playing basketball for the Golden Eagles. In addition to helping his footwork, he said it has also impacted his ability to catch balls.
“I think ballhandling is the biggest thing; just being able to catch the ball has helped me tremendously in basketball transfer over to soccer,” Fauth said. “And talking with college coaches, they think that me being a basketball player has really helped me catch the ball. They notice I’m pretty good at catching the ball.”
Fauth, who plans to play college soccer somewhere next season, not only has the physical traits to be a goalie, he is also a student of the sport. He said that comes in handy when he is placed in the unenviable position of having to stop opponents on penalty kicks or in a shootout.
“I think when it comes to a shootout, especially for playoffs, I watch film on guys who take PKs during the season, see where they like to go and stuff,” Fauth said. “And then when it comes to games, look to see where their foot is pointing, where their eyes are going. I think that’s what helps me more, but it’s still pretty difficult.”
Fauth credits his defensive teammates for their role in helping to prevent opposing players from breakaways and getting high-percentage shots against him this season.
“I think our defenders have done great this year, especially Jordan (Grieben), this being his first year being a center back, he’s done a tremendous job for us,” Fauth said. “And then Creighton (Aberle) just brings a lot of energy on the field as well. I’m just thankful for them as they prevent a lot of shots from happening.”
Fauth said another key to being a goalie is communication, although, anticipation also plays a role.
“Just being ready at all times, because you never know what can happen, and that 10-second memory,” Fauth said. “If anything bad happens, just let it go and move on.”
Fauth has learned to keep things in perspective through the years and his ability to motivate and lead his teammates grown along the way.
“He’s a leader, because he’s very consistent and very solid, and the guys can rely on him and that gives him confidence, and then that feeds back to the other guys,” Mohr said. “His leadership from when he first started, which is now forever ago until now, it’s just night and day.”
Like most standout goalkeepers, Fauth has built a reputation for the shots he has stopped, however, he will always be remembered for the rare one that he scored.
Last season, Fauth managed to put a ball in the opposition’s goal when he punted a wind-aided ball that traveled more than half the pitch, bounced once, and went over the goalkeepers’ head for a goal that he will never forget.
It tops his list of things he will remember most about his days of playing soccer for the Golden Eagles.
“Probably my biggest memory is scoring that one goal against Spearfish. That’s one that sticks out most, but obviously I’ve made a lot of great memories,” Fauth said. “I’ve played with a lot of different guys. I’m thankful for these coaches helping me become a better goalie these past four years. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
While Fauth’s goalkeeping record speaks for itself, it’s what he has done away from the pitch that will leave the biggest mark, according to Mohr.
“He’s been a tremendous Golden Eagle, an example not only in here when we see him, but also outside of this, being involved in the student body, being a basketball player, a two-sport athlete, and then just being a good human in his interactions with other people,” Mohr said. “So we’re very, very proud of him. He’s just a model for the younger guys.”
And nobody will soon forget that.
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