Even though the move made the team weaker in the field, Dick Smith felt sure it was the right thing to do.

So four games into the season, Smith, T.L. Hanna’s boys soccer coach, moved senior Andrew Drennan from a midfielder/stopper, to goalkeeper.

“I just felt like we had to be stronger on defense first,” Smith said. “His mistakes are very far apart.”

The Yellow Jackets lost nine of 10 to start the season, but after Drennan was moved to the goal during the Palmetto Cup in Cayce, Hanna won three of its next five, and then five in a row.

Drennan was a catalyst for the turnaround as he registered six shutouts against a schedule that saw all but two opponents make the playoffs. Hanna upset South Aiken on the road in the first round, but lost to Dorman, which was ranked No. 6 in 4A, 1-0 in the second round, to finish 10-14.

“If I would have gone to him from the very get-go, we would have been a lot better off,” Smith said. “He bought into it and wanted to win.”

Drennan’s play earned him an all-Region 1-4A selection, and an invite to the North-South All-Star game as well as a chance to join Wofford’s team in January — because the roster was full when he decided to join the Terriers. He graduated near the top of his class, and was awarded an S.C. High School League academic award.

“I’m as proud of him in the classroom as I am on the field,” Smith said.

Drennan said when he was first introduced to the game, he played goalie, but soon didn’t like it because he played on a club team that was ranked No. 5 in the nation. With talented players in front of him, he didn’t have much work.

“Sometimes it’s nice to know you’re needed,” he said.

At 12, Drennan split time between the goal and the field, but soon realized he’s a better goalie than a position player. But the time in the field helped him learn what to expect from opposing players attacking the box.

“I like to think that I have an edge due to the fact that I can play in the field,” he said.

And during his soccer career, he’s played at every area of the field, and Smith said he could play all 11 positions if needed.

“He’s a kid you can take and put anywhere and not worry about,” Smith said. “Sometimes goalies can be a defender, but to go and score, no, it doesn’t (usually) work out that way.”

One obstacle when moving to the goal was the mental side of the game, which he admittedly needed to work on. Making a mistake in the field is one thing, but in the box with the gloves on is quite another, especially since everyone notices, and the ball usually ends up in the back of the net.

Directing traffic, and communicating with teammates about where to align themselves was something Drennan said he wasn’t used to.

“At first it was tough,” he said. “It was a lot different learning exactly what to say.”

Drennan soon figured out how to get his message across in part because he realized the need to provide senior leadership. He said being in goal “definitely” helped him learn what to say and how to say it, even off the field.

“He’s a talker now,” Smith said. “Being in that goal, you’ve got to talk, and you can hear him the whole time. If he’s not, he’s not doing his job.”

Smith said Wofford coach Ralph Polson is soon going to be “real glad he gave so much academic money” because Smith expects Drennan to transition smoothly to the college game.

“He will not be an average goalie, if he really wants to buy into it,” Smith said. “He’s just a durn athlete. He’s a rare find. I’d love to have another year with him.”