[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

It is my opinion that the player playing goalkeeper should be treated no differently that any other player on the field. Remember NFHS rules are written with the jr. H.S. and H.S. player in mind. The safety of the player is paramount. If the game officials feel that it is necessary for a coach or trainer to come onto the field to attend to an injured player then it is a good idea that the player leave the field for at least a short period of time to make sure that all is right.

I know coaches do not like to have to change goalkeepers unless they have a stratigic or tactical reason. But I had a situation this past Fall in a H.S. game where I had to remove a goalkeeper who was injured. The goalkeeper dove to try to block a kick and collided with the attacker just after the attacker had been fouled by another defender. Both the attacker and the goalkeeper went down and did not get up immediately and coaches and trainers for both teams were brought onto the field. The keeper's coach did not like having to replace his keeper for the PK and tried to convince me that NFHS rules were like USSF rules. The replacement keeper gave up a goal on the PK but fortunately that goal did not decide the game. Even if that goal had decided that game, I know that I did it correctly. And I will do it the same way if I ever have that situation again.