Greg Walter's favorite number?

Zero, of course.

The goalkeeper for the Slippery Rock High School boys soccer team has become quite enamored with that number this season, recording eight shutouts in 11 games for the Rockets.

When you give up zero goals as often as Walter has, it's tough to lose, and losing is something that is unacceptable for the senior.

"I don't ever want to lose," Walter said. "It ticks me off to lose. It hurts, and I am going to do whatever I have to do to keep winning, to keep us on track."

Before this season, Walter shared time in goal with Eric Greaves. Since Greaves has graduated, Walter now is the main man in goal for the Rockets.

While that is a new development at Slippery Rock, Walter is familiar with that role elsewhere.

He played every game in goal for the Pittsburgh Strikers in the off-season and has tended the net in places like Germany in the Gothia Cup in 2002.

"It's just different preparation, getting myself psyched up for the game," Walter said.

And Walter gets psyched up.

One of the team's leaders, he also is one of the most vocal, directing the defense and leading the pep talks.

"He's just been a great, positive leader for the team," said Slippery Rock coach Anthony Buzard. "From the first practice on, I knew he would be a leader and the captain for the team."

Walter, though, didn't know what to expect this season.

Buzard wasn't hired until shortly before the season, and there was some doubt about how good the Rockets would be this season.

It didn't take long for the team to realize the answer: pretty darn good.

It's only blemish was a loss to soccer power Harbor Creek, which scored four goals against Walter, who has a good, if inexperienced, defense in front of him.

With Mark Speicher at sweeper and Matt Durso, Seth Wimer and Chad Stanley manning the other defensive positions, Walter and Buzard are confident in their backfield.

"Our defense as a whole has done a great job," Buzard said. "But Greg makes a big difference. He knows how to position himself so when he does face a clean shot, he's in position to make a diving save."

Walter has seen the gamut already this season.

He's had games in which he hasn't faced a shot and others in which he is constantly under attack.

Walter prefers the action.

"I get in a better flow that way," he said. "I feel like I'm into the game."

As long as not too many get through.

But Walter has an advantage. The Rockets also have a fairly potent offense with the tandem of Drew Craig and Ryan Zarichnak.

Walter told Zarichnak early in the season that as long as Zarichnak scores a goal a game, he'll take care of the rest and the Rockets will win.

Zarichnak is averaging a goal a game this season and the Rockets are winning.

"It's awesome," Walter said. "We didn't know what to expect this season, so to be where we are at now - it's a pretty good."

The scoring, coupled with Walter's goalkeeping exploits, also takes the pressure off the coach.

"As a coach, it sure gives you a relaxed feeling," Buzard said.