Arrington focused on constant improvement, staying ready

Northern Nash’s Kylar Wiggins attempts to score a goal past Rocky Mount’s Tyasha Arrington Tuesday at Rocky Mount High School.

Tyasha Arrington spent most of Tuesday afternoon standing by herself. Occasionally, she’d unleash a roar.

It wasn’t as bizarre as it sounds. Arrington is the goalie for the Rocky Mount High girls soccer team, and the Gryphons (7-4-1, 4-1 Big East) rattled out a massive victory against Northern Nash. Rocky Mount won, 9-0, in a game that was called in the 59th minute. Barkley Browder scored four, Sarah Bland notched two, and three others (Carson Browder, Erin Cooke and Katie Moss) each chipped in one.

Besides two shots on goal and two more that were wide of the posts, Arrington had an uneventful day. It left her hanging back and celebrating alone when her teammates found another score. She shouts so loudly because she wants the squad to know she’s proud.

“I am starting to communicate more with the team because last year I was really quiet,” Arrington said. “This year, I am so open. You can kind of hear my mouth wherever you are. . . I want them to hear my voice and me congratulating them because they are always congratulating me.

“Even though people don’t hear them, they always say, ‘Good save, Ty.’ I just return the favor.”

Arrington’s path to Rocky Mount High’s starting goalkeeper spot was accelerated. She didn’t start playing soccer until she was an eighth-grader. She realized she wanted to be more active and found an interest in soccer.

“I wanted to do something with my body,” Arrington said. “I didn’t want to just sit there and watching T.V. . . I just started with soccer in eighth grade, playing rec league, liked it, and I came out here in ninth grade and made the team.”

She sat the bench that freshman year. She earned the starting keeper spot last season, when Arrington found herself more comfortable in net.

“I was able to handle shots how I was supposed to,” Arrington said. “Because I ****** my freshman year.”

That improvement is an ever-growing process for Arrington. With her smaller frame — she stands about 5-foot-6 — she had to constantly work to compensate for it.

“My height. I am so short,” Arrington said, snickering. “And then speed too because I am not very fast. I would practice jumping, reaching, and doing exercises that would put me in the air.”

Once she developed that, Arrington could focus on smaller aspects, like footwork and punting. Rocky Mount High coach Richard Oxendine, who joined the program this year, also helped facilitate both Arrington and the team’s improved conditioning.

“We are getting her closer to where we want her to be,” Oxendine said. “We still have a ways to go, and I am hoping she will be even stronger for her senior year.”

Arrington utilizes some of the drills Oxendine puts her through during games. For example, during an injury timeout against Northern Nash, the teams trotted in for a water break. Arrington sprinted from the goal to the sideline, and she raced back when the referee told the teams to ready for play.

The first Knights shot Arrington saw Tuesday came on a push from her left side. Northern Nash’s attacker hit a low dribbler that looked like trouble. Arrington’s right foot slipped as she planted to move. She got over to the left side, dove, and stretched out her arms. The ball trickled past the post and out of bounds. Those situations, when she hasn’t seen much action, can become scary to a goalie.

“You get nervous,” Arrington said. “Sometimes it is kind of hard for you to not do stuff then react as fast.”

Arrington earned her fourth clean sheet of the season against Northern Nash. The Knights are currently tied for first place with Wilson Fike. She will continue to roar, sprint and play for her Rocky Mount High teammates. And she will probably need to make a few saves here and there. Arrington is not worried about being prepared.

“I don’t get bored,” Arrington said. “I just always have to stay ready.”