During his four years playing goalie for the Loyola Dons, Akira Fitzgerald had just about as many compliments sent his way as shots.
The three-time All-Metro standout - the area's Player of the Year as a senior in 2005 - was quick and agile, determined and vocal, sure-handed and poised.
Fitzgerald's finest attribute, many said, was the smart decisions he made while fiercely protecting his penalty area.
It turns out Fitzgerald made another wise choice when, after thorough consideration, he decided to play at Wake Forest.
"It came down to Wake Forest and UNC-Greensboro, and my official visit at Wake made my decision for me," said Fitzgerald, now a senior and two-year starter in goal for the Demon Deacons. "I was impressed with the close family environment within the team, the professional atmosphere, and academics was a major reason, too."
After a redshirt freshman year, Fitzgerald was the backup goalie as a sophomore when the program won its first national championship. Last season, he earned the starting job as the Deacons were ranked No. 1 in the country throughout the regular season before their bid to repeat as national titlists ended in the semifinals of the College Cup.
This year, with a largely new cast playing in front of him, Fitzgerald is a captain displaying the same qualities that got him all those rave reviews in high school.
"Akira has a good feel for the game, and he does a good job of communicating with his team to keep them organized. That's one asset - he's technically very strong and demonstrates his leadership capabilities," Wake Forest coach Jay Vidovich said. "The second part of him is, athletically, he's very quick. I call him a cat because he pounces on everything."
The highlight game of Fitzgerald's high school career was his last, when he turned away seven shots in 100 minutes to help the Dons earn a share of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship in a double-overtime scoreless tie against Mount St. Joseph.
At Wake Forest, he tied the program record with 13 shutouts last season and had a 0.63 goals-against average, one of the lowest in the country. But when asked what has been his best college moment, he doesn't hesitate to answer: winning a national championship.
