University of Montana senior Claire Howard’s shutout record could have ended in disaster if she had mishandled an errant ball that came whizzing toward her team’s goal in the second half of a March 28 soccer game against Portland State. 

“When it all breaks down, you need a goalkeeper that can keep the ball out of the back of the net,” UM soccer head coach Chris Citowicki said. “Claire does an exceptional job of that.” 

Howard flicked the speeding ball into the air with one of her feet, then skilfully tapped the ball to keep it in the air with the other. The goalkeeper watched as the ball landed softly in her arms, completing a trick that would take a normal person hours to learn in an effortless fashion. 

When it comes to saving would-be goals, Howard also makes things effortless. 

Until about 2 p.m. that Sunday, the Big Sky Conference record for career shutouts hadn’t changed in over 10 years. A shutout occurs when a goalie doesn’t allow the opposing team to score a goal in a game. Then the senior goalie recorded her 30th career shutout, just edging out Sacramento State legend Savannah Abercrombie’s 29, set in October of 2010.

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