If a soccer player was judged solely on individual statistics, it would appear that Servite junior JT Cook didn’t have much of an impact on the field this season.
Cook usually worked deep in the Friars’ defensive third, yards and yards away from the spotlight shining on Servite’s goal-scoring, headlines-stealing forwards.
It’s a duty that takes a special type of player, one who doesn’t mind being largely anonymous if it means the team will be better because of it.
Cook thrived in the role this season, wrapping his arms around Coach Jon Spencer’s defense-first mentality so much he helped Servite set two school records for its defensive prowess, win the Trinity League title and reach the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals on his way to becoming the Register’s Player of the Year for the 2013-14 season.
“I appreciate when I am out there playing for my team and I know they are playing hard, and I know that I am contributing to it,” said Cook, a team captain. “Even though the goal scorers are the ones who get a lot of credit, it doesn’t matter to me. All I care about is winning.”
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The Friars gave up only seven goals in more than 2,000 minutes of soccer action, 18 of their 25 games ended in a shutout and they finished with a 0.314 goals-against average, the latter two marks being school records.
“It (the records) are a really, really good feeling,” said Cook, who was selected co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Trinity League. “Other guys will come to the school and ask who was on that team, and you know you were a part of it.
“To be able to be a leader in that situation is really good because in a way I am helping to promote Servite.”
The Friars’ success was built on lockdown defense, and Cook, Spencer said, served as the solid foundation.
Spencer added that Cook became an extension of the coaching staff on the field and was an example of how to play the gritty defense that helped the Friars shut out their first six league opponents.
“He is excellent at 1-on-1 defending, scrappy in tight spaces, willing to make a tackle when it is needed,” Spencer said. “He just puts the team before his personal accolades. He also has the self confidence and belief that our team can win.”
The Friars made it to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs where they fell to Loyola on penalty kicks after playing to a 1-1 draw. The Cubs’ goal was the first one the Friars allowed in the playoffs.
“Shutouts became a very important factor for our team, not to set any records, but we knew that was the best way for our team to win,” said Cook, who has committed to St. Louis University. “Get the shutout and we make the offense’s job easier.
“Defense first, that is what is has been for us from the start.”
Contact the writer: ddottore@ocregister.com
