By
Audrey DeAnda
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Junior solidifies starting position
When an opponent scores against UA goalkeeper Shannon Monti, she tells herself to "nail it."
"What that means is 'nail it to the cross,'" the junior said. "Just let it go, it's already done, just focus on the next thing."
Monti, a devout Christian, has leaned on religion to get her through many of life's challenges, including soccer.
"That's primarily my rock," Monti said.
After playing just 30 minutes in her freshman year and platooning last year with senior Inger Airheart, Monti now finds herself in the starting position for the first time in her career.
According to head coach Cathy Klein, Monti's starting position appears safe.
"Shannon is never going to work at a less-than-maximum level and that's a tribute to her character and work ethic," Klein said. "So given that, it will be much harder for Ingrid or Tami (Klein) to unseed her."
But for Monti, earning the starting position means that she has to work even harder.
"I've never considered the position locked-up because you never know," Monti said. "You just keep going out working as hard as you can and try to earn your keep."
Monti has played every game in the 2000 season, racking up 20 saves.
Although the team is 1-4-1 and Monti allows an average of 2.79 goals a game, Klein is more than satisfied with the goalie's performance.
"She's let in some weaker goals, but she's always come back," Klein said. "She's a young kid."
Though Monti is in her third year of eligibility, she hardly has three seasons worth of experience, Klein said.
"Having played only 30 minutes her freshman year, she's really 10 games plus our (six games in 2000) into her career," Klein said "That's less than a season, so she's really a freshman. She'll make some mistakes but how she reacts and settles down is how she'll keep the No. 1 position."
Monti and the Wildcats have faced tough competition already and with six Pacific 10 Conference teams ranked nationally, the season is only going to get harder.
Monti is ready for the challenge, though.
UA spectators might be surprised at Monti's aggressive style - the junior often ventures out of the net and takes risks, a style that evolves further with each game.
"(UA coaches') biggest harp on me at the beginning of the season was that I was too nice," she said. "I need to be more of a gorilla, more demanding of my teammates and of the position."
Her teammates have noticed the changes.
"Shannon - especially when she first came in - was very timid," senior defender Ann Giallonardo said. "She has always been a good goalkeeper but, as far as taking charge and letting other people know what she wants on the field, she's definitely coming into her own."
As a defender, Giallonardo loves how Monti's style of play has developed.
"Having someone behind you who's taking control, stressing where she needs people to be and what she needs them to do to makes the defense more sound (and) is definitely beneficial on our part," Giallonardo said.
Even though Monti's aggressive and sometimes risky style scares Klein at times, the coach vows never to tell her to slow down or ease up.
"I don't think anytime that she has ventured out she has cost us a goal," Klein said. "When she makes errors, it's because she hesitates to come out."
Overall, Monti enjoys the pressure and leadership the goalie position brings.
"I think everyone can feel overwhelmed at times, but you can't let that affect you," Monti said "You just have to play to the level. Everyone makes mistakes."
"You get frustrated but you can't let the goals affect your play, because once you've done that, you're already behind again."
