BOYS' SOCCER: SAUGUS' PRIME-TIME PLYER HIS BIG GOALS KEY TO CENTURIONS' RUN.Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer Justin Plyer isn't the best scorer in the area. But he might be the most opportunistic opportunistic /op·por·tu·nis·tic/ (op?er-tldbomacn-is´tik) 1. denoting a microorganism which does not ordinarily cause disease but becomes pathogenic under certain circumstances. 2. . Half of Plyer's eight goals are of the game-winning variety, helping the Saugus boys' soccer team to first place in the Foothill League. Eight goals isn't much, but neither is Plyer's playing time. The senior forward comes in off the bench. ``He's the type of player who produces well when he gets in there,'' Saugus coach Nate Wright Nate Wright played professional American football in the NFL from 1969-1980. Professional Career Wright earned All-Pro honors at defensive back in 1974 and 1976. He career consisted mostly of time as a defensive back with the great Minnesota Vikings teams of the 1970s. said. ``He always seems to be in the right place at the right time and I have to give him credit for that.'' Plyer's biggest goal was in the first game against Hart, when he got a rebound off a corner kick and nailed it in to break a 1-1 tie late in the second half. The eventual victory moved the Centurions past the Indians in the league standings. Saugus has more athletic and talented players, which is why Plyer doesn't start, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Wright. But Plyer's late heroics are a key reason the Centurions are leading the league after not making the playoffs last season. ``At first this year, he was a little upset that he wasn't starting,'' Wright said. ``But I tell players that it's the quality of time you give me, not the quantity. That's what he's done.'' Plyer has been getting the quality, being around near the end to win those close games. He is on the field about 50 percent of the time. He was in that role last year and thought his senior season would bring a spot in the starting lineup For the line of action figures, see . A starting lineup in sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes . ``I would definitely rather start,'' Plyer said. ``I don't think anybody likes coming in off the bench. It's frustrating frus·trate tr.v. frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing, frus·trates 1. a. To prevent from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire; thwart: , but I can't do much about it. He picks his starters and that's who the starters are.'' Plyer has a chance to play, which is more than he could say when he first came to Saugus. After failing to make the junior varsity team For the American rock band, see . In sports, usually at the high school and college levels, members of a team who are not the main players in a competition (such as a football or basketball game) are called junior varsity players. as a freshman, Plyer served as the team manager for varsity. The title sounds more glamorous than it is. The position can be better described as water boy, ball-fetcher and stat-taker. But Plyer kept trying, made the junior varsity team as a sophomore and varsity as a junior. He also plays volleyball volleyball, outdoor or indoor ball and net game played on a level court. An upright net, 3 ft (or 1 m) high, the top of which stands 8 ft (2.43 m) from the ground for men, 7 ft 4 1/8 in (2. and hopes to be a starter for one team in his senior year. But soccer is his main sport and he wants to play collegiate col·le·giate adj. 1. Of, relating to, or held to resemble a college. 2. Of, for, or typical of college students. 3. Of or relating to a collegiate church. ball. His plan is to go to Azusa Pacific University External links
``He doesn't start, but he gets the important goals, so whatever works,'' goalkeeper Lucas Pepe said. ``He's not the most talented, but he might be one of the hardest workers out there.'' Wright agreed: ``I wish some of our other players that probably have more talent would have the same drive. He's always there getting in extra time and I really appreciate his hard work.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Saugus junior forward Justin Plyer has eight goals this season off the bench, most coming when they're needed most. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer |
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