Watertown’s Devin Connell has excelled at goalkeeping since committing to the position in 7th grade

Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.

Devin Connell had to make a decision in seventh grade. Connell’s mom, Kelly, told him he needed to fully commit to playing goalie or staying in the field. Todd Heckman, Connell’s coach at Watertown F.C. and Watertown High School, mirrored that sentiment too.

Heckman said Connell “could’ve done either” with his ability. But since Watertown F.C. didn’t have a full-fledged goalie at the time, Connell did what he felt was best for his team.

“I was like, ‘I’m going to help the team in goal if I play, so why not?’” Connell said. “Then I just found my love from there.”

Connell has excelled as a full-time goalie ever since. Now as a senior, he’s recorded 148 saves in two-and-a-half seasons on the boy’s varsity team at Watertown. He’s notched 23 shutouts and is just five clean sheets shy of breaking the single-season school record, ready to head to Jefferson Community College next fall.

Connell took an interest in goalkeeping after seeing one of his brother Riley’s friends play the position. Connell remembered competitive 1-on-1 bouts in their driveway where Riley blasted shots at him, mercilessly.

“He would always beat me,” Connell said. “I was just waiting for the day I could beat him, but it never happened.”

Connell started playing competitively after Kelly helped organize the inception of Watertown F.C. Kelly — a former player at SUNY Plattsburgh — worked together with other parents in the area to put together a squad before appointing Heckman as head coach.

Last year, Connell began working with goalie coach Matt Milograno at the Bright Lights Goalkeeping Academy (BLGK). Connell said working with Milograno helped him improve his diving technique and snuff out 1-on-1 opportunities.

“He went to a camp (BLGK) this summer with them…he comes back saying, ‘I learned this and this and this,’” Kelly said. “It seems like a great program that we try to get him as much as we can.”

Because Connell previously played a variety of positions in the field, his polished foot skills give him an advantage in net. He likes to play as a “sweeper keeper,” meaning he’s aggressive when coming out of his box and likes to be a part of his team’s build-up play in their defensive third.

Connell consistently studies professional goalies like Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) and Marc-André ter Stegen (FC Barcelona) and noted that he wants to improve his shot stopping ability. Connell said he was hesitant to dive when he first started as a goalie but he’s become more willing to put his body on the line for saves.

“It takes a different kind of mindset to hop into the goal and throw yourself on the ground,” Connel said. “Being a goalie forces an I-don’t-care-about-my-body mindset.”

The more Connell has played, the more he’s enjoyed the position. As the last line of defense, Connell’s communication skills have grown. He’s able to see the entire field in front of him, which allows him to bark out instructions to his teammates.

“I can yell out to people if they need to make a run. And kind of being the odd man out; you are the one goalkeeper versus the ten field players.” Connell said.

But not everyone in Connell’s family has the same positive outlook on his position. Kelly has grown accustomed to the stress that comes with Connell playing in goal.

“The running joke is that I do not talk to anybody at games, I just watch,” Kelly said. “It is nerve-wracking because you want him to do well.”

At first, Connell was hesitant about playing college soccer. He had his reservations about the leap in competitiveness and difficulty. After a stellar junior season and an increase of self-confidence developed at BLGK, though, Connell will play at JCC next fall, where he’ll also suit up for the lacrosse team.

“As a mom, it is great,” Kelly said. “I have loved watching him progress, even from last year to this year.”