Boys’ soccer: It’s good to be 6-foot-5

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This just in, it’s advantageous to be a tall goalkeeper in soccer. OK, maybe this is not breaking news but Santa Margarita has benefited greatly from having a 6-foot-5 goalkeeper.

Junior Billy Thompson came up big, literally, in the quarterfinals as the Eagles beat Quartz Hill, 1-0, on Thursday. According to the Antelope Valley Press, had it not been for Thompson, Quartz Hill (21-3-4) would have beaten Santa Margarita (19-2-4).

‘This was the godfather of all ‘what if’ and ‘coulda been’ games,’ the newspaper reported. ‘If that shot wasn’t launched over the goalpost. If that one doesn’t bounce off the post. ... If only the that lanky goalkeeper was 6-foot-4 instead of 6-5.’

Thompson, a goalkeeper with huge pro potential, is a key member of an Eagles defense that’s only allowed 10 goals and has posted 15 shutouts this season. Right now Thompson is one of three goalkeepers I’m considering for the All-Southland team. What do you say? Do you think he’s the best goalkeeper in the Southland, or is there someone else you want to nominate?

-- Jaime Cardenas