Foss bringing the noise

While soccer goalkeepers are evaluated foremost on the number of goals allowed, the most successful among them are often recognized for what they produce aloud.

Indeed, when it comes to the last line of defense, many coaches agree that backing it up is often reliant upon the ability to talk a good game.

So, in order to deflate opposing offenses, sophomore Jillian Foss first pumps up the volume for the Vanguard University women’s soccer team. In her first season with the Lions, the talkative San Diego State transfer has both taken charge of her defense, and taken exception to the notion of opposing goals.

“She has a good personality for a goalie, because she’s a good leader back there,” Vanguard Coach Randy Dodge said. “She gives organization to our back line and the girls have a lot of confidence in her there.”

Foss, who has played every minute this season for the Lions (8-3-3, 3-2-2 in the Golden State Athletic Conference and, until Wednesday, ranked all season in the NAIA top 25) is tied for the lead among GSAC ’keepers with eight shutouts.

Her 62 saves and her save percentage of 84.9% rank second in the GSAC and, heading into today’s 1 p.m. conference clash at Hope International, she has posted a goals-against average of 0.75.

Her latest shutout came Tuesday, when the host Lions topped conference rival Cal Baptist, 1-0. Foss made five saves, including one in which she leaped to her right to punch a booming drive wide of the goalpost. When she made contact with the ball, her body was parallel to the ground, about four feet in the air.

It was the kind of play Vanguard players and coaches have come to expect from the former Carlsbad High standout, who is as personable off the field as she is aggressive on it.

“She can cover a lot of ground behind the back line, so that gives us an added dimension,” said Dodge, who coached Foss previously on the Southern California Blues Club team.

Foss was injured early in her first season at San Diego State, leading to a decision to redshirt in 2005. In 2006, she played in two games, starting one. She allowed two goals and posted an 0-0-1 record. But turmoil in the program — several players transferred after a disagreement with then-coach Mike Giuliano — prompted Foss to look for a new collegiate home.

“Randy called me and asked if I wanted to come here to play for him,” said Foss, who jumped at the chance with the kind of decisiveness that allows her to frequently charge opposing forwards to squelch scoring threats.

Foss said she was skeptical about whether her amplified personality would alienate her new teammates at Vanguard. But, with 10 freshmen on a roster that included only one senior, Foss’ outspoken leadership became a welcome asset.

With junior co-captain Emelia Miller, and the talented freshmen duo of Kristin Rice and Kaitlin McGhee forming a stingy back-line alliance, Foss immediately began verbalizing her long-term belief in her new program.

“When I committed to come here, I told Randy that we would win a national championship,” Foss said.

Strong talk for a program on the verge of attaining back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in its history. But it’s the kind of talk Dodge, well, refuses to dodge.

“I’m with her on [the national championship aspirations],” said Dodge, in his second season at the women’s helm, having guided the Vanguard men the last six seasons. “I think we’re a year, possibly two years away from actually fighting for a national championship. We’re competitive now with a really, really young squad and we have some kids coming in for next year that we’re really excited about.”

Dodge said Foss can be a catalyst for such success.

“You bring kids like Foss in because you want to change the culture of the program,” Dodge said. “You want a winning tradition, which they haven’t had here.”

Foss, a communications major, said her passion for the game prompts her to train frequently outside of the Vanguard practice schedule. And she hopes all her hard work eventually amounts to ... nothing.

“I pride myself on shutouts,” she said. “If we can keep putting up zeros back there, that’s all we can do. And I couldn’t do it without my defense.”

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at barry.faulkner@latimes.com.