Gunnar Lenzen ready to protect the goal for C.R. Washington

CEDAR RAPIDS - Washington's Gunnar Lenzen comes with better than standard goalkeeping equipment. He's quick enough to leap and tip balls over the cross bar, yet he can go right or left and spear an oncoming threat while fully extended.

He has knowledge of his sport borne from playing since he was a 5-year old toddler, thus enabling him to position himself at the proper angles to thwart attacks. It also enables him to set up the defense in front of the net in support of his last line of defense, something that will be even more important this year with the graduation of two all-state defenders.

Through his four seasons he's improved his ability to play balls sent into the box. He's become adept at knowing when to leave the net in pursuit of the cross and when to stay home.

He has the honors (all-state and first-team all-MVC Valley division as a junior in 2014) and the statistics (eight goals allowed in 19 games; .911 save percentage) to go with his status as an elite keeper.

But what makes him special is something else entirely. It is his utter fearlessness and total confidence in his mission. Describe him as brash. That's OK. Call him a pistol. That's OK, too. But Lenzen's particular demeanor fuels his talent and provides a lift to his team in the direst of moments.

'He likes to get after it, and he likes to be challenged,” Washington Coach J.P. Graham said. 'He was kind of small as a freshman, and that didn't stop him from getting in there and mixing it up with the older guys. That something we strive for in all our guys, how to be fearless.

'We're not always the most talented team, but the fact that we like to stick our nose in there helps us out.”

Last year at the state tournament, Washington's quarterfinal went through two overtimes and into a shootout. On the sixth PK, Sioux City West scored, but with the game on the line Lenzen saved the shot. Wash scored on its seventh PK, and Lenzen again made the save so the Warriors could move on to play top-ranked Iowa City West.

'He dove toward the upper corner and it hit off the post; it was an amazing save,” Graham said.

Interviewed immediately thereafter the irrepressible Lenzen said, 'I can't wait. We lost to them earlier in the season but I think we've gotten a hell of a lot better, and I want to take it to them.”

Vintage Lenzen.

'You have to have confidence in yourself and the players around you,” Lenzen said when asked to tick off the qualities of a good keeper. It was the first trait out of his mouth.

'You kind of have to be fearless. You can't be afraid, I guess, to be the culprit of mistakes,” he added.

'He started about half his games as a freshman, but he got thrown in some big-time games,” Graham said. 'Right from the get-go when he was thrown in there he's had confidence. He's used to having that on his shoulders. Now he just relishes it.”

Shootouts are an example. He won two at the state meet a year ago, and again it's his mind-set that sets him apart.

'I really like them because everything is in your hands,” Lenzen said. 'Essentially there is no pressure on you the keeper.”

No pressure? With everyone watching and it's you against five guys armed for bear? That's just the way he thinks. A million different plays have brought the match to this conclusion, any one of which could have ended it before PKs. So for Lenzen this is the fun part.

And that's why he's just a little bit different from your standard issue keeper.