In slightly over 412 minutes of game action this year, goalkeeper Jarrett Leech '09 has allowed only one goal for Brown's 25th-ranked men's soccer team. Leech came in during the latter stages of the first half of a game against Boston College after David Semenza '07 was taken out of the net due to injury, and since then has had a hand in four of Brown's seven shutouts this season.
Leech was named Ivy League Rookie of the Week this week and leads the league with a .958 save percentage. The one allowed goal is the lowest in the Ancient Eight.
"Jarrett, along with all of our other young players, has played very well for us this season," said Head Coach Mike Noonan. "He has a good feel for everything out there and we have the utmost confidence in him."
Leech, who hails from Manakin-Sabot, Va., said that he did not expect to play much this season but is embracing the opportunity.
"When I first got here, I really didn't think I was going to play at all," he said. "But after Swam (Semenza) got hurt, I just went out there and tried to do the best that I could."
Leech made his first start before Semenza's injury, against Virginia Commonwealth University on Sept. 25. Leech made an impressive collegiate debut, making four saves - including three in the second half - en route to a 2-0 Bruno win.
"Being that it was my first college start, I was a little nervous," he said. "But as the game wore on, I gained more and more confidence."
But his teammates had faith that they had a second solid goalie on their roster even before the VCU game.
"We got to see him every day in practice and knew that he was very talented," said co-captain Matt Britner '07.
Just nine days after the VCU match, Leech found himself in the net again, this time unexpectedly during the Oct. 4 game against Boston College. With less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Semenza went down with a shoulder injury while diving to make a save. The junior left the game and did not return, leaving Leech with the responsibility of finishing the contest.
Leech proved that his performance against VCU had been no fluke, posting three saves in the second half for his second straight shutout.
"That situation must have been really difficult for him," Britner said. "To come into a game cold like that is probably the hardest thing to have to do. But he played well and helped us get the win."
At 6 foot, 3 inches tall, Leech possesses physical attributes that complement his proven natural instincts - a winning combination while in net.
"He is a great physical specimen with a really awesome work ethic that has served him very well," Britner said.
Leech credits older Bears, especially defense, with helping him step up to the demands of play at the collegiate level.
"The whole team has really helped me get adjusted," Leech said. "When you are a goalie, you learn that you are only as strong as the guys in front of you, and our defense has been fantastic throughout the entire season."
Though Brown did not actually win its Oct. 11 battle with cross-town rival Providence College, it may have been Leech's best game of the season. With an end result of a 1-1 tie in double overtime, Brown's defense had an uncharacteristic lapse and let in a goal off a corner kick within the first 10 minutes of play. It was the first goal Leech gave up in his collegiate career, but it did not rattle him.
Leech picked himself up, dusted himself off and proceeded to make seven saves, a career-high, to help Brown keep its unbeaten streak alive at five games.
"Jarrett played really well in the PC game," Britner said. "He saved us on numerous occasions. Without him there is no way that we (would have) even tied that game."
With more experience, Leech will only assist in Brown soccer's quest to get back to the top of the Ivy League.
"I just want to continue my strong play and keep getting better," he said. "Being the goalie on an Ivy champion (team) would be special."
