From the first time he stepped between the posts, Alcona soccer coach Tim Munro knew Conner McCoy was a special athlete.

“He was a big, tall, athletic kid and he wanted to play goal,” Munro said. “He’s a good kid and he works hard.”

Playing goalie is sometimes a thankless job in that a goalie can either be a hero or a scapegoat depending on the final score. But being a goalie is a challenge McCoy embraces and that determination led him into the state record book last season.

In 24 games last year, McCoy made 391 saves setting a new state record for saves in a season. His mark of 391 bested the previous mark of 390 set by Essexville Garber’s Chris Gielda in 390. McCoy found out he set the record about a month after the season ended last October and he is one of only 10 players in Michigan to make more than 300 saves in a season.

“It feels amazing. I never thought I could actually do it,” McCoy said. “(When I found out) I was like, ‘Wow, I actually did it.'”

Despite the Tigers posting a 12-11-1 record last season, McCoy was a consistent presence in net for Alcona and earned Division 4 all-state honors. He averaged 16.2 saves per game and posted stellar numbers when it counted most. He posted eight saves in a district semifinal win over Saginaw Arts and Sciences and then followed that up two days later with a 22-save performance against Saginaw Valley Lutheran to help the Tigers win the district title.

“I felt like they were our most important games and we needed to step up and everyone did their roles,” McCoy said.

Though Alcona’s season came to an end in the regional semifinals with a 5-0 loss to Genesee Christian, McCoy was again superb. He made 22 saves in the loss, including 13 in the first half and did everything he could to keep Alcona in the game; he dove for balls, punched balls out of midair on point-blank chances and scooped up other balls to stop offensive rushes.

In just two seasons, McCoy has cemented himself as a mainstay in net for Alcona. He’s a welcome sight in net as the Tigers often test themselves against a tough slate of opponents during the regular season.

“He’s determined to win. He doesn’t like it when we lose,” Munro said. “He wants to play goal and he wants to make the team better.”

This season won’t be any different as the Tigers are slated to face Cheboygan, Ogemaw Heights, Alpena, Grayling and Gaylord as part of their non-conference schedule. But with McCoy returning in goal and players like junior striker Jordan Steiner-who set a single season goals record for Alcona last season-returning, McCoy likes Alcona’s chances.

“I’ve been a goalie my whole life and I feel like I’m getting better every year,” McCoy said. “I think we can definitely make it to regionals and maybe states.”

Before the season begins however, McCoy will have a chance to prove himself on a national stage. He’s scheduled to participate in the Exact Sports Chicago Academic 50 ID Camp at the end of the month. The three-day camp brings talented players from across the nation and they’ll be coached by 50 of the nation’s top coaches including coaches from Michigan, Northwestern, DePaul, Marquette and Louisville.

During the camp, McCoy will receive 1-on-1 instruction from coaches, be put through drills and face live game action as he strives to improve as a goaltender.

McCoy is also hoping the camp will allow him to catch the eye of college coaches. Though he’s two years away from signing a letter of intent, McCoy said joining Michigan State’s soccer team is one of his goals.

“I’m both excited and nervous (for the camp), but I think it will be a good experience,” McCoy said.

James Andersen can be reached via email at sports@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5694. Follow James on Twitter @ja_alpenanews.