By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
Ryan Herman didn't take the predictable path to collegiate success.
In fact, when it comes to the route that led Washington's goalkeeper to his senior season with the Huskies, it conjures a story like something out of a Robert Frost poem.
For the 6-foot-7 standout, the road less traveled has made all the difference.
“I had to fight for it, do extra training and learn a lot,” said Herman, who will be in goal when Washington opens the season at 7 p.m. Friday against Gonzaga. “It has made me a much better player.”
Coming out of Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, Wash., Herman spent a year at Santa Clara before transferring to Washington. He knew incumbent starter Spencer Richey still had two seasons left, but Herman knew he could learn from one of the nation's best and still have two years left to play.
Then in 2013, Richey broke his leg four games into the season. Herman was thrust in the starting job. He helped lead the Huskies all the way to the Elite Eight. Then Richey was back in goal last season, leaving Herman to wait his turn once again.
“It would have been sweet to play last year, not have any competition, but Spencer was the best goalkeeper in the country the past four years, in my mind,” Herman said. “I've learned so much from him, more than I could have learned from anyone else, the way he carries himself and the way he played, on and off the field.”
In the time it has taken for Herman's journey to lead him to this point, some of the players he grew up with have made their way to the MLS. In fact, good friend DeAndre Yedlin is playing for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
But for Herman, the nontraditional route has been the proper path for him to follow.
“I wouldn't trade places with any of them,” Herman said. “I'm at the best school in the country. I love my teammates, coaches, everything. I'm just blessed. I'm really thankful I can play here.”
Herman made the most of his opportunity to learn from Richey last season. Herman understood and accepted his role in the program, spending the year working to be a more vocal, and positive, leader.
Washington enters the season ranked No. 10 in the nation, despite the loss of key contributors like Cristian Roldan, Darwin Jones and Andy Thoma. Herman said that, while the Huskies lost talented players, he likes the program's depth.
“We've grown so much in the past year,” he said. “It's such a deep team. We don't look to one or two guys. We're looking at 24 guys who can step up and play. It's nice, because in the back of your mind you're always thinking, 'We're not out of this.'”
But, despite the top-10 ranking and depth on the roster, Herman isn't setting any expectations for the 2015 season.
The goal right now is simple: Win on Friday and continue to grow from game-to-game.
“You're going to take your bumps along the road, but as long as you get better through it, you'll be fine,” Herman said.
When Herman first left for college, he never expected to end up at Washington. He never planned to transfer, sit a year, land a starting job, sit a year and then move back into lineup.
But, looking back, he wouldn't change anything. The road less traveled got him where he needed to be.
“You realize how much we have here at the UW,” Herman said, “how blessed we are.”
