In 2008, the Pitt men’s soccer team established one of the best goalie tandems in the Big… In 2008, the Pitt men’s soccer team established one of the best goalie tandems in the Big East.

The one-two punch of Eric Barnes and Jordan Marks paced the team to six shutouts while ranking first in the Big East in total saves and saves per game.

The duo ranks among the great goalkeepers in Pitt soccer history. Marks ranks in the top 10 in all four of Pitt’s all-time goalkeeping records, while Barnes just missed making the top 10 in several categories.

This season brings a new challenge for the Panthers.

With the departure of Barnes and Marks, the biggest question mark heading into the 2009 campaign is at goalkeeper.

Redshirt junior Zach Matthews and freshman Keegan Gunderson are the two Panther goalies hoping to replace Marks and Barnes.

Matthews had yet to see game action before this season, but he had the experience of learning from Marks and Barnes. He started the first three games for Pitt (1-4) this season, compiling a 1.93 goals against average and tallying 14 saves.

But this year, Matthews will continue the learning process from one of his mentors of the past four seasons.

Barnes is sticking around this season as a graduate assistant and goalkeeping coach. He will assist in the development of the two young goalies.

Barnes, a third-year law student and a recipient of several coaching licenses, is relishing the opportunity to stay involved with the team as a coach.

“I’m really excited to work with these guys,” Barnes said. “They’re both solid players. I’m just trying to help them with their confidence and some other little adjustments.”

Despite the lack of game experience between Matthews and Gunderson, Pitt head coach Joe Luxbacher said he’s also enthusiastic about the potential of his new goalkeepers.

“Zach has been with us for a few years now and had a solid spring,” Luxbacher said. “Keegan has experience playing at the highest levels of high school soccer. So between the two, I am confident we will be solid in goal.”

The Panthers didn’t have an official goalkeeping coach in 2008, but Matthews said he’s looking forward to the benefits of working with Barnes.

“One-on-one training on a daily basis is definitely going to help us,” Matthews said.

Luxbacher agreed.

“Having a coach like Eric makes me feel comfortable that our goalies will get the necessary experience and training time at every practice,” Luxbacher said.

Barnes and Matthews have already developed a relationship as teammates, but Matthews said he believes Barnes’ new role as a coach will have a profound impact on him.

“He’s been training me for a while now,” Matthews said. “But he had a starting job [last year] to win at the same time. Now that he’s a coach, I’m looking forward to continue learning from him.”

Matthews said he knows he can rely on Barnes because he knows that just a year ago, Barnes was in his shoes, fighting for a starting job on the same team.

Barnes started 10 games last season, making 51 saves and a 1.37 goals against average.

“He knows what we’re going through,” Matthews said. “He knows about balancing school, work and soccer. He knows what it takes to get it done at this level.”

Barnes said he’s looking forward to sharing his experiences with the two young goalies and preparing them to succeed in the Big East conference.

The goalkeeping coach recalls a trip to play at Big East powerhouse University of Connecticut. More than 4,000 people were in attendance when the Panthers played the then No. 2 Huskies in 2007.

“There are going to be 5,000 fans screaming at you, trying to throw off your game,” Barnes said. “The atmosphere is awesome, but it’s something you have to prepare for.”

Pitt lost the game 4-0, but Barnes made five saves as the Huskies put up 17 shots.

Matthews, Gunderson and the rest of the Panthers will make that same trip to Connecticut on Oct. 17, and Barnes will be there to make sure they’re ready.