SLIPPERY ROCK — Ali Doyle spent half of her junior season on the bench.

Those afternoons spent sitting didn't sit well with the Slippery Rock High goalkeeper.

"It was very hard on me," said Doyle, now a senior on the Rockets girls soccer team that is off to a 3-1-1 start. "But I learned from it."

Doyle put on a happy face, even though she was stewing inside.

She was in full throat, cheering on her teammates from afar, even though she longed to be on the field with them.

She vowed it would never happen again.

This season, Doyle is back as a fixture in front of the net. She's made it impossible for coach Les Smith to take her out for even one minute, let alone for 40.

Doyle had 17 saves in a 1-0, double-overtime win against Warren Saturday.

"It's my senior year," Doyle said. "I really wanted to make it my best, not just for me, but for all of us."

To do that, Doyle focused on her craft in the offseason like she never had before.

She attended camps, worked with Slippery Rock University goalkeeper Sarah Lacey, played in an indoor league during the winter and ran miles each day to get into better shape.

Her work ethic amazed Smith.

"She busted her butt all offseason," Smith said. "To be honest, this is the result. There's not another keeper I would want."

There haven't been many better.

Doyle was thrust into the position as a freshman during the Rockets' run to the PIAA semifinals.

She played admirably under tough circumstances, but even she admits she was not ready for the role at the time.

Doyle excelled again during her sophomore season but found herself splitting time with Kyra Foley last season.

It's been quite a ride for Doyle.

"Oh my gosh, it's been so insane since my freshman year," Doyle said. "It seems like so long ago. Because of everything I've been through, I feel like I'm a much better goalie now."

This year, she's had to be.

Usually an offensive force, Slippery Rock has struggled to score goals this season.

The Rockets have found the net only eight times — five coming in one game against Bishop Canevin in the season opener.

That has put the onus of Doyle and the defense. Both have responded.

Doyle had 14 saves in a 0-0 tie against Neshannock and has surrendered only two goals this season.

"I definitely feel the defense and I have worked a lot harder," Doyle said. "The (offense), they are working their butts off up there, trying to get goals for us.

"When you score only one or two goals, the other team definitely can't score a lot."

Doyle has taken care of that, even though she is unorthodox.

She stands only 5-foot-4, but is fearless in the crease.

"This is really a no-fear position," Doyle said. "I'm not really scared of many things."

The only thing Doyle fears these days is finding herself back on the bench.

That's not likely to happen again any time soon.

"For me, this is my last chance to start on the Slippery Rock soccer field," Doyle said. "I'm not going to waste it."

True Glew

Mars girls golfer Alexa Glew fired a 73 to win the MAC Tournament recently.

The sophomore won the event by five strokes.

Repeat Rockets

The Slippery Rock boys golf team, despite losing four seniors from their championship season in 2008, repeated as Region 2 champions this season.

Junior Brian Giesler finished second in the region in scoring average and freshman Brett Rinker finished third to help the Rockets to a narrow victory over Grove City.

Sister act

Sisters Millie and Maggie McKain each scored two goals in a recent Karns City girls soccer victory.