It had been more than four years since Morgan Porter had played goalkeeper. Throughout her high school career in Seattle she started all four years as a forward, winger and central midfielder. Scoring goals and creating the action was her niche.
Playing between the pipes? That was a thing of the past. She came to Idaho to keep scoring goals.
But last Sunday against La. Tech the keeper gloves came calling. After a Caroline Towles red card, Porter was forced into a distantly familiar keeper position.
She was part of the emergency contingency at the position. Idaho’s other two keepers suffered season-ending injuries.
“We knew we would have to put a field player in,” said Grant Williams, goalkeeper coach. “We kind of narrowed it down to her the
day before.”
Coincidentally, it all started as a joke between her and coach Pete Showler.
“We were joking around about how I got trained by Hope Solo
before she was famous,” Porter said. “We were talking about it and how I used to play, and how if anything happened to Caroline I could go in.”
That conversation Saturday morning became more significant the following day when she made her Idaho debut against La. Tech.
“I told her she might regret telling me these things. It may have been said in a light hearted manner originally, but I had no doubt when it came to making that decision,” Showler said. “Ironically, events on Sunday happened and after the game I told her she still may regret saying those things.”
The moment of truth for Porter came in the 68th minute of the match when Towles handled a ball outside the box during a breakaway goal-scoring opportunity for La. Tech — an automatic red card violation and ejection.
“When it happened, I think we all knew I was going in,” Porter said. “We didn’t even really communicate, I just went on the field.”
Porter didn’t have time to settle into the position and had to make a play immediately upon entering the game. La. Tech was setting up for a free kick right outside of the box.
The ball found its way into her arms, and for the remaining 20 minutes of the match she preserved the Idaho shutout, and the win.
“That first ball got rid of all the nervousness,” Porter said. “I think catching the ball for the first time in such a long time — felt like a relief that I caught it.”
Showler said he was pleased with Porter’s performance.
“She just went out and did what she needed to do, and did it well,” Showler said. “She and the rest of the girls responded very well.”
Towles’ red card suspends her for Friday’s match against Utah State at Guy Wicks Field.
Porter is preparing this week in practice as if she is going to play, and the coaching staff has confidence in her if her number needs to be called again. “I’m not scared at all, in fact, very confident that any balls hit at her, that she can get her hands on and take care of,” Williams said.
Williams said this week they will work on getting her more comfortable with ball handling and being behind the defense. Getting used to watching the game from the goal, instead of behind her like she is used to as a forward is an important adaptation, Williams said.
“I’m a little nervous of playing this week,” Porter said. “But anything I can do to help the team. I’m honored that I’ve been chosen to step up to the plate and
play for our team.”