Fabbrini saves face in hockey

Nick Fabbrini has no problem stopping a soccer ball with his face, as the Fenwick senior soccer goalie did several times this fall. But being a hockey goalie is out of the question. “I don’t want anyone firing little pieces of rubber at me; soccer balls don’t hurt like hockey pucks do,” said Fabbrini, 18, a forward for the defending state champion Friars hockey team. “There must be something wrong with someone who [chooses to play] goalie on ice.” Hockey is his favorite of the two sports and each sport helps his play for the other, he said. The soccer footwork helps him along the boards, which is one of his on-ice strengths. The soccer conditioning helps his speed and endurance on ice.