GAMES – Caper-Tiger Barikian Stood Tall Between Pipes

Eric Barikian is a team player. He does whatever the coach asks of him and gives everything he has in the effort.
This season the career defenseman for the Lower Cape May soccer team stepped between the pipes for eight games. The junior registered four shut outs in the squad’s six wins when Barikian wore the goalie gloves.
At 6-2, 175 pounds, the Cape May resident is a talented and athletic contributor on a team which competed in the South Jersey Group III Final in 2011.
“I like seeing the whole field,” said the 17-year-old. “Everything is in front of me when I’m on defense. I can tell what’s going on and I feel somewhat in control of the game.”
Barikian is a lifelong soccer competitor who switched from offense when he entered junior high school.
“We had some talented scorers but they needed help on the defense,” said Barikian. “So when I had to step in at goalie it came naturally to me because I’d been playing defense for several years.”
Barikian explained that the difference between offense and defense on the soccer field is “keeping your mind right.” He said playing between the pipes has a lot to do with your thought process and “learning to cut down angles.”
He was obviously thrilled with his change to defense in middle school. “I fell in love with it,” said Barikian. “It’s more physical than playing offense and I love heading balls out of the penalty area.”
As for scoring goals, Barikian is called upon to use his considerable heading skills when the Caper-Tigers are attempting to score the ball off of a corner kick. It remains his dream to score a goal despite his presence on the defensive half of the field.
“Heading the ball effectively is about keeping your eyes on the ball,” he said. “Timing the jump perfectly is also very important.”
Looking back on his most memorable game as a soccer competitor, Barikian immediately cited a 2-1 night-game loss to rival Middle Township last season.
“It was under the lights with a huge crowd,” he noted. “It was a really intense atmosphere. Even though we didn’t win it was a lot fun to be out there.”
His appearance in goal wasn’t a total surprise. Barikian had prepared for the possibility over the summer.
“I can’t say I expected it, but I practiced during the summer,” he said. “I was definitely nervous stepping into that position but I liked it a lot. Stopping a shot is better than scoring a goal. I’d rather have 11 saves than one goal.”
Barikian explained his nervousness about a approaching a break away striker. “You don’t come out too far,” he said. “You make a split second decision and you stick with it.”
The best advice he’s received about working between the pipes was all about the mental approach. “Keep your head and keep your cool,” he repeated. “You get more comfortable as the game goes on. You get used to the nerves.”
Barikian recalled two penalty kicks he faced during his eight-game goalie duties. “I was very close to grabbing one but I just missed it,” he said. “The other penalty kick sailed over the cross bar. I was aggravated because one of my teammates had picked up the ball in the penalty area to cause the kick.”
He’s eager to return to the basketball court this winter after sitting out his sophomore hoops season due to a knee injury late in the 2011 soccer campaign. But it won’t be long before he refocuses on soccer’s off-season workouts in the late spring.
“There’s no decision yet about goaltending next year but we want to go further in the playoffs next season,” said Barikian. “Our girls’ team had a great run this season. We want to make a run.”
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net
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