DENVER – As the summer progressed, James Tanner (Lake Stevens, Wash./Lake Stevens) wasn't sure if he'd be able to play this season or not.
 
That's OK. The fate of his season has hung in the balance before.
 
Tanner, Metropolitan State University of Denver's senior goalkeeper, finally received approval from the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility in late July.
 
"That was a big relief," he said.
 
After missing all of the 2015 and 2016 seasons because of injury, Tanner returned to the field last year for what he calls his "third junior year."
 
Not being able to get a "first senior year" would've been a cruel fate.
 
"We had a good degree of confidence because he met what we thought were the standards," MSU Denver coach Jeremy Tittle said. "So it was a matter of going through the process. But there's still some apprehension for sure, because someone else is making the decision."
 
Tanner has been the Roadrunners sole goalkeeper thus far this season, posting 1-3 record with a 2.00 goals-against average with one shutout.
 
He has moved up to seventh in school history with 159 saves, and ranks sixth with 21 wins and 3.5 saves per game.
 
"It's a great feeling to make an impact on the team," he said. "I missed it a lot. Sitting out, you watch your team play and they either win or lose without you. I couldn't do anything about it. Now, I feel like I have more control over it. I can at least do my job."
 
MSU Denver opens Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play at home this weekend at the Regency Athletic Complex, facing Colorado Christian (0-3) at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Dixie State (2-2) at noon Sunday.
 
When it comes to the RMAC, to college soccer, or to life in general, the 23-year-old Tanner can be a huge resource to teammates, many of whom are five years younger.
 
"I definitely know a lot about the RMAC and other teams and how they compete," Tanner said. "I have insight on the other teams. I try my best to help out the new guys, since it's their first year, living by themselves, in college, there's a tendency to find yourself in trouble. I can be the guy they go to for help to figure things out.'ve been through it all."
 
Tanner probably doesn't need to remind teammates about last year's 1-0 loss to Colorado Christian, the Cougars' only win in 2017. MSU Denver beat the same team 4-0 a week later.
 
Dixie State, meanwhile, is led by Moises Medina, a preseason All-RMAC selection who has two goals thus far.
 
Tanner could be called upon frequently, but he also relies upon—and credits – the work his defenders do in front of him.


"My defensive players have done a great job of putting other teams in bad positions to shoot," Tanner said. "They make my job so much easier. Some of those good saves I make is because our defense puts them in bad places to shoot and gives me a chance."
 
Tanner came to MSU Denver planning to redshirt in 2013, but by the time the season started he was the Roadrunners' only option. He performed well, even after another player joined the roster, and wound up 4-5-1 with a 2.39 GAA. He was even better as a sophomore, going 7-3 with a 1.42 GAA.
 
Then came frustration.
 
He'd missed the end of his sophomore season with a broken finger. And he had knee surgery after his freshman year and then needed to undergo another procedure on that knee that kept him out of 2015. Yet another follow-up procedure on the knee kept him out during the spring of 2016. And then a broken thumb derailed his 2016 season before it started.
 
"There were definitely low spots, especially after the surgeries," Tanner said. "Sitting on the sidelines, watching everyone else play. As a player, you want to play and make an impact for your team. It's really hard to sit out.
 
"What I tried to do was stay as positive as possible and cheer on my teammates. I tried to make a difference from the sideline. It made coming back easier, because I still felt connected to the team and I could still make a difference."
 
Back on the field last season, Tanner was 8-9-1 with a 1.51 GAA and five shutouts.
 
"I think he's one of the better goalkeepers in the conference," Tittle said. "If he's healthy, consistent and in a good rhythm, he can be right up there."