Joe Cannon – "Learn From Your Mistakes"

Joseph Cannon #1
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Born: 1-1-75
Hometown: Los Altos Hills, CA.
College: Santa Clara University
I remember it was a cold and wet December day and it was our high school's biggest games of the year. I was a junior and the starting goalkeeper for the St. Francis Lancers (Mountain View, Ca). We were playing the Matadors of Monta Vista High School. There were several players from my club soccer team playing for both sides, so this promised to be a great match-up. To make matters more exciting for me personally, the Monta Vista goalkeeper also was the other goalkeeper for my club team. Today was my day to prove to people that I was better.
The score was 0-0 and we had just shot the ball into the other goalie's arms. He took four steps and then punted the ball high into the air. I began to yell at my defense to clear the ball. The powerful kick sailed far before one of our defenders completely missed the header. The ball hit the ground 30 yards out, then proceeded to skip off the wet field and over my head. My heart sunk as I turned around hoping the ball had gone over the crossbar. It had not. I was devastated. Not only had I given up a goal in a big game, but it was the most embarrassing type of goal a keeper could give up. I lost my head, couldn't focus and the rest of the day was a blur.