Kentridge goalkeepers are soccer's double trouble

Alex Ferguson and Nik Sever share superb goalkeeping skills.

Both are so good, in fact, that Kentridge High School soccer coach Glenn Walrond can't choose between them.

But when it comes to playing rock-paper-scissors, bragging rights clearly belong to Sever.

Before each match, Walrond asks Ferguson and Sever a simple question: Who wants to start?

A quick game of rock-paper-scissors decides it, which usually means Sever gets the nod for the first half. Ferguson typically plays the second half of each match.

Ferguson, a sophomore, might want to choose a different contest. Heading into Friday's match with Kentlake, Sever had made 10 consecutive starts determined by rock-paper-scissors. The junior got his 11th straight start on Tuesday, when Ferguson sat out with a sore groin, and went the distance in a 0-0 tie.

That was the fifth shutout of the season for the Chargers, who were 4-3-2 in South Puget Sound League 4A North Division play at midweek. Sever and Ferguson both had seven shutout halves going into that match, and that bumped Sever's total to nine.

Of nine goals Kentridge had allowed, Ferguson was in the net for five and Sever for four.

Both keepers insist they are comfortable with the unique situation.

"It works," Sever said. "Our defense is solid. Both Alex and I communicate with the team, especially the defense, and keep goals-against minimal. ... If he plays, that's great. If I play, that's great too."

Ferguson agrees, even though he started last year and once was part of the Olympic Development Program, a development program for high-level soccer players. Sever has worked the past two years with a position coach, improving his technique, and Ferguson said he deserves to split time.

Teammate Daniel Hunziker said it's like having the best of both worlds.

"Those two keepers are phenomenal," the senior defender said. "They could start on any team. It's just unfortunate for them they're both at Kentridge. They're both really good guys who look out for the team."

The halftime change often throws off opponents. At 230 pounds, the 6-foot-2 Sever is sturdier than Ferguson (6-1, 185).

"I think it benefits us, because [opponents] have to get used to a different goalie," Sever said.

"We bring something different each time," said Ferguson, a team captain who also is a running back for the football team.

Walrond said Sever is surprisingly quick for his size, but speed is Ferguson's forte.

Ferguson, who sometimes plays forward, said the two are competitive with each other, "but in a friendly way" and make each other better.

They could wind up splitting time again next year.

"As long as it works," they say in unison.