Between the Pipes

Rob McGarrigle, a senior football player at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania, remembers his worst sports moment as a young athlete and is glad he won’t have to relive it.

“I was eleven years old and playing lacrosse. It was my first year playing, and I was doing pretty well, considering I had never played before. We had a good team and won most of our games. In the middle of the season, our goalie got hurt and was unable to play. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a backup goalie. At practice, our coach asked if anyone wanted to try it out and I thought, why not? So, I got in between the pipes and did pretty well.

“At practice, we scrimmaged each other, and I was stopping shots left and right and only gave up a few goals. At the end, my coach told me I would start in goal for the next game. I was so excited and went home to tell my parents who were very happy for me, especially my dad, who played lacrosse at UCLA and Villanova.

“It was finally game time, and I was pumped. Warming up for the game, I was feeling great and confident as I stopped numerous shots. This was it. I was ready to go, and I was going to shut down the Springfield Cougars. As the whistle blew to start the game, I glanced over at my father standing at the sidelines, and I was sure I would make him proud. My team took control of the faceoff and quickly headed down the field, and with some skillful passing, we took the lead 1-0.

“On the next faceoff, the Cougars took control and headed down the field towards me. I clanked my stick against the posts, preparing myself to make a stop. There was no way he was going to score against me in the net. After this point, the events seem like a blur. But there is a moment that sticks out to me more than the others. After allowing 18 goals and losing the game for my team by not stopping one single shot, I at least thought my dad would be proud and would comfort me. But I was wrong.

“I remember looking over at the sidelines during the game, where my dad proceeded to yell, “Stop something!” He was yelling so loud that the referee actually asked if that was my father, and I replied,’yes,’ with tears building up in my eyes. The ref told my dad that I was trying my hardest.

“After the game, I could barely look at my teammates — not only from embarrassment, but also because of my red, swollen, tearful eyes. The last thing I wanted to do was get in the car and drive home with my dad. It was a quiet ride home and by far the most humiliating experience and worst sports memory I can remember. Needless to say, my run as a goalie ended after that game.”