Holloway to continue career with Billikens

FENTON -- Senior Joda Holloway took a great deal of pressure off the Notre Dame offense late in Saturday's third-place game.

He did it by scoring.

Scoring goals was difficult for Notre Dame at the final four this weekend.

The Bulldogs had opportunities in their semifinal against Helias on Friday, but failed to finish off attacks as they went scoreless for two halves, two 15-minute overtimes and then converted just one of their five penalty kicks in the shootout.

Notre Dame again had trouble putting the ball in the net early Saturday against Pembroke Hill, despite taking a number of shots.

KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.comNotre Dame senior Joda Holloway (17) heads a corner kick for the first goal in the Bulldogs' 2-0 win over Pembroke Hill in the Class 2 state third-place game Saturday at the Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton.

But Holloway came through finally, scoring when he headed a shot in to put the Bulldogs on top 1-0.

Notre Dame went on to win 2-0 to earn third place.

Holloway didn't have the easiest year as he had to adjust to a new role.

After playing defense for both the Bulldogs and his club soccer team, Holloway was asked to become a center midfielder.

"It was really different," Holloway said. "I struggled with it at first, big time at the beginning. I play center back in club, and it's a really different position. But I was able to figure the center midfield out and felt comfortable."

Notre Dame players line up to receive medals Saturday at the Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton. Notre Dame beat Pembroke Hill 2-0 in the third-place game.

Holloway credits many of his teammates, including Joe Froemdsorf, with helping him make the transition a smooth one.

"I kind of had a learning curve, but it was fun playing a different position," Holloway said.

Holloway recorded 29 points this fall. He had nine goals and 11 assists.

And although Holloway had success in his new position and enjoyed being more involved in the offense, he is ready to make the transition back to defense.

Holloway will continue his soccer career at Saint Louis University. He has received a partial academic scholarship and will play for the Billikens, a soccer program that includes 2008 Central graduate Tyler McNabb.

He said he thinks he will be an outside marking back at Saint Louis.

"I'm on the team," Holloway said. "I took an official visit with coach [Dan] Donigan. He brought me up there, sat me down in his office and told me he'd love to have me on the team. They recruited me."

He said he visited McNabb while on his visit and looks forward to playing with the Central graduate.

"He wasn't my host, but I was in his room a lot," Holloway said. "I had never really met him before. I've known him from being around in Cape, but we never spent a lot of time around each other and we've never been on the same soccer team. ... He's a good guy. I'm looking forward to being up there with him."

Younger Holloway a goalie

Holloway's brother, James Holloway, was a freshman backup keeper for Notre Dame this season.

James Holloway played the final 3 minutes, 22 seconds of the third-place game against Pembroke Hill, making one save.

He is a possible candidate to take over Ryan Bass' job in net next fall.

James Holloway played about 27 minutes in goal this season, not allowing a shot to get past him.

Joda Holloway was impressed with the one save his brother made Saturday.

"He made a good play on the corner," Joda Holloway said. "He came out and punched the ball away."

James Holloway is training with the same goalkeeper coach who Bass has worked with in St. Louis.

"He's working hard," Joda Holloway said. "He's going to have a good body to be a goalkeeper. He's got huge hands. He's got promising height and he's got really good hand-eye coordination and good reflexes. So now he's working on all the training he can to build his body up to get a little stronger and quicker. It's real promising. He should be a really good goalie."

Bulldogs coach Brad Wittenborn said both James Holloway and sophomore James Diveley will have a chance to be the goalie next season.

"Both are very capable goalies," Wittenborn said. "James Holloway probably has had more technical training. But they give us two good options. ... Both of them are also very skilled. They can play on the field. So they both will play some soccer for us next year."

Bass said James Holloway must learn to control his body better and control his legs better when he is diving.

But he said Holloway shows strong potential at the position.

"I think Holloway will probably be the goalie next year, but it's an open tryout and whoever it is needs to step up and play well," Bass said.

Joda Holloway plans to take some trips down Interstate 55 to watch his little brother play next year.

"That's one of the good things about SLU," Holloway. "I don't plan on being home all the time, but I can make a jog down there, like if James has a big game, then I'll come see him and see the rest of these guys, too. I definitely plan on coming and seeing how his career progresses."