East goalkeeper tough to top

FAYETTEVILLE — Chase Cain loves football and is a standout basketball player, but he will try to shine as a soccer player tonight.

Cain, of Central Arkansas Christian, made the East All-Stars after a standout goalkeeping career with the Mustangs. The boys’ soccer All-Star game is scheduled for 8 p.m. today at Razorback Field.

Cain helped the Mustangs win the 2008 Class 4A title and make deep runs in the past two 5A tournaments. The 2009 season ended with a 1-0 loss in the final, and the 2010 season ended with a 2-0 loss in the semifinals, both times to Little Rock Christian.

The two goals he allowed in the 2010 loss to the Warriors were the only goals Cain allowed all year. He made 49consecutive saves before letting two past.

“It was nice,” Cain said of his streak. “Every year I try to allow less and less, and I’m pretty sure I did. My goal was to win state without letting in a goal, obviously. I was just thankful I got the opportunity to go that far.”

CAC Coach Fabian Mina said Cain, a four-year starter, excelled because he was always willing to work.

“All four years, he was pretty remarkable,” Mina said. “He’s a real committed guy. He’s athletic, and that helps a lot, too.”

Cain started playing soccer at 5 and played everywhere on the field during those less organized games. When the soccer became more refined, he was quickly moved back to goalie because of his height - he is 6-4 in socks - and his catching ability from his time as a football receiver.

Cain got burned out on soccer in seventh grade and decided to focus on football and basketball, but near the end of that year, he ruptured two discs in his back playing basketball.

“They wouldn’t let me play football anymore,” Cain said. “If my back would have held together, I could have worked out more and played football further on. I’m probably better at soccer.

“I just like all sports. I’ll play anything with a ball.”

Cain will walk on to play soccer at the University of Central Arkansas next year. He said he had scholarship offers from other schools but decided on UCA because it was the best fit for his intention to major in pharmacy.

“I wanted to go to a bigger school,” Cain said. “I’m not really looking to go far in soccer. If I can, that’s great. UCA is a great fit, and I want to try to play soccer if I can.”

One of the quirks of All-Star soccer is the teams have just one day of practice to prepare for the game. All-Stars reported Sunday and planned to practice twice Monday.

Cain isn’t worried about developing chemistry with his teammates in one day because he has played with several of them in summer soccer.

“The hard thing is every kid here is all-conference, all-state, an All-Star,” Hay said. “They’re the best of the best. No one is used to sitting the bench.”Chase Cain at a glance SCHOOL Central Arkansas Christian WHAT East All-Star goalkeeper GAME 8 p.m. today, Razorback Field NOTEWORTHY Led CAC to the 2008 Class 4A title and the 2009 5A title game. ... Named All-Arkansas this year after allowing 2 goals in 17 games and 51 chances.