November 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, United States; MPSF LBSU vs Stanford, Los Angeles, CA. Photo credit: Catharyn Hayne
Canon 5DMiii, 400 mm IS ii, f2.8 1/1600
Goalie shots are always a challenge. I love the shot where I can see their focus in their eyes. I had been looking for something different than the usual portrayal of the goalie from across the pool. I wanted to see more of the goalie. The determination and the focus at the final line of defense. However, going for the goalie shot is always a risk because I've opted against covering the safer shot - the shooter. If the goalie misses then I don't have a shot at all. I rely on goalie body language to tell me what is happening in the field of play. When I'm shooting with long glass I'm too zoomed in to pan quickly. The goalie often tells me all I need to know. I can tell if the goalie believes the defense has it covered, or when the goalie is tensed and ready for the incoming shot. The shot needs to come in at an angle which forces the goalie to then reach in my direction, or I get the back of the head shot and I've lost my opportunity to get anything at all. This is the shot I want. This one went wide of the goal, but he was ready had it been in range. Sometimes I forget to breathe when I'm concentrating on these types of shots.