With each save and strong performance in the net, Aliso Niguel senior Kathleen Messinger continues to prove that she is an invaluable veteran asset to a young Wolverines team.

Her clutch efforts between the posts throughout the early portion of the season have also firmly reinforced the notion that she is the county's premier goalie.

A first team all-county selection last season, Messinger has been equally impressive throughout the early portion of this season. She has sparked a Wolverine squad that has held eight of its' first 13 opponents scoreless and will enter league play looking to win the program's first outright South Coast league title since joining the league in the 2006-2007 season.

Recently, I spoke to Messinger about how she became a goalie, playing with the expectations of being labeled as the county's best goalie, and serving as a source of leadership for her teammates.

OCVARSITY: The position of goalie is not one that most girls grow up dreaming to play. Where did you get the desire to play the position?

MESSINGER: It's kind of ironic because when I was younger, I was always a forward. One day our goalie was missing and our coaches asked if anyone want to give it a go. Even though I had been a forward my whole life, I said sure why not let me give it a try. I turned out to be pretty decent at it and I developed a love for it from there. People say that goalies are wired a little differently and I certainly think it takes a crazy person to want to throw themselves on the ground. But I love the adrenaline and high pressure that comes with it.

OCVARSITY: There's been a lot of talk about you being the best high school goalie in Orange County and one of the best in Southern California. When your hear things like that, how does that make you feel and does that it affect how you play?

MESSINGER: You know, I do listen to it somewhat, but I don't pay a lot of attention to it. Obviously, it's nice to get that kind of recognition for your hard work and success. But in high school, it can go either way. You can have a great game and still lose. No matter how much credit I get, I relay it back to my whole team. Whether I have 13 saves or two saves, at the end of the day, all that matters is that Aliso is up.

OCVARSITY: When watching you play, hearing your voice from the goalie position is something that is very common. When did you learn to become so vocal while on the field?

MESSINGER: When I was in the ODP at the age of 13, they told me that I needed to be vocal and command the box. To me, soccer is like a game of chess. The goal is the king and if you set your pieces right, you should win.

OCVARSITY: You've been involved in penalty kick sessions during your career. What is more thrilling for you, converting a penalty kick or coming up with a big save?

MESSINGER: Making a big save. As much as I like looking the opposition in the face and seeing their hopes dashed with a PK score, making a big save makes a statement and is what I do best.

OCVARSITY: You're on a team that has a lot new players, but is being thought of as a serious South Coast league and CIF-SS Division I title contender. How are you going to help a team with so many new faces be successful in those quests?

MESSINGER: Being the only returning starting varsity senior, the younger players are going to look for guidance and I'm really looking to step into a leadership position. Ultimately, it's also to give the younger girls a confidence boost. There is a lot of talent in the younger girls. If we can tap into that and get them to have that swagger to win balls and be the best they can be, that is going to make us a better program.