SectionsNew position no problem for MSU veteran Livesay
Former midfielder now GK
Kai Raymer
Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: Sports
Who needs time to adapt? When it comes to goaltending, certainly not Missouri State's Mark Livesay.
An all-conference midfielder the two previous seasons, Livesay has moved between the pipes this season for the Bears.
Through eight games, Livesay is looking more like a veteran than a first-timer. His strong play has been a big part of why Missouri State is currently 7-1 on the season and a serious contender in the Division II South Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference.
"I like knowing I'm that last line of defense," Livesay said.
This season, Livesay has totaled a save percentage of .727. When compared to hockey save percentages, that may not seem all that impressive.
But in lacrosse, a save percentage of 50 to 60 percent is considered "acceptable" and anything above 70 percent is deemed outstanding.
In fact, Livesay's save percentage of .727 is third amongst all Division-II Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association players. He's also fifth in goals against average at 4.86.
Assistant coach Pat Callaham said the ease that Livesay has made the transition could be attributed to his passion and knowledge for the sport.
"He knows the game so well," said Callaham of Livesay, who grew up playing lacrosse. "He knows what to expect, and since he was a midfielder, he knows a lot about offenses and what they're trying to do."
When it became apparent in the offseason that Missouri State lacked a sure-fire starting goalkeeper, Livesay brought up the idea that he could play the position.
After some brief thought, the coaches gave approval.
"I probably thought about it for two seconds then realized it would be a great idea," Callaham said. "He's a good enough player that he would be good wherever we put him, and it just so happened that we had an opening at goalie."
Stats are good
In sports like soccer or hockey, defenseman can have no individual statistics to backup their play. Not so in lacrosse, where you have "ground balls."
An all-conference midfielder the two previous seasons, Livesay has moved between the pipes this season for the Bears.
Through eight games, Livesay is looking more like a veteran than a first-timer. His strong play has been a big part of why Missouri State is currently 7-1 on the season and a serious contender in the Division II South Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference.
"I like knowing I'm that last line of defense," Livesay said.
This season, Livesay has totaled a save percentage of .727. When compared to hockey save percentages, that may not seem all that impressive.
But in lacrosse, a save percentage of 50 to 60 percent is considered "acceptable" and anything above 70 percent is deemed outstanding.
In fact, Livesay's save percentage of .727 is third amongst all Division-II Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association players. He's also fifth in goals against average at 4.86.
Assistant coach Pat Callaham said the ease that Livesay has made the transition could be attributed to his passion and knowledge for the sport.
"He knows the game so well," said Callaham of Livesay, who grew up playing lacrosse. "He knows what to expect, and since he was a midfielder, he knows a lot about offenses and what they're trying to do."
When it became apparent in the offseason that Missouri State lacked a sure-fire starting goalkeeper, Livesay brought up the idea that he could play the position.
After some brief thought, the coaches gave approval.
"I probably thought about it for two seconds then realized it would be a great idea," Callaham said. "He's a good enough player that he would be good wherever we put him, and it just so happened that we had an opening at goalie."
Stats are good
In sports like soccer or hockey, defenseman can have no individual statistics to backup their play. Not so in lacrosse, where you have "ground balls."
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