That´s how Coach Scott Rousseau determined his starting goalie on the first night of the 2006-07 season. The shiny quarter landed in Derek Kump´s favor.

Playing behind an experienced defense, Kump needed to stop only five shots Saturday in the Yachtsmen´s 10-0 win over Gorham in the season opener.

Yet if the quarter had landed on the other side, the Yachtsmen would have been just as secure with C.J. Fortier in the net. For the third consecutive season, Falmouth has the luxury of turning to a pair of proven goalies, and the Yachtsmen are expected to be among the top teams in Western Class A.

Rousseau and the Yachtsmen stumbled upon the scenario two years ago after the graduation of Trevor Paul, when youngsters Kump and Fortier rotated in goal but played at the same level.

Kump and Fortier were polar opposites -- the tall, rangy Kump, who took an analytical, reserved approach to the game, and the short, athletic Fortier, who played aggressively. But they were equally effective.

As the season progressed, Rousseau conferred with his seniors about who should take over as the full-time starter. They reached an agreement.

"It didn´t matter who played," Rousseau said. "We weren´t about to upset the harmony of the team."

Two years later, that approach remains true for the Yachtsmen.

"It doesn´t really matter who plays," said Kump, a junior. "The team has confidence in both of us, the team has confidence in me and we both give the team a big chance to win every time we go out there."

While Kump took on the bulk of the work in net for the Yachtsmen last year, Fortier was in reserve. But unlike most competitive situations, there were no hard feelings between them.

Instead of animosity of any sort, there´s a benefit to having a pair of good goalies.

"It´s not so much competition, but competition to push each other," said Fortier, a senior. "A friendly competition. We just push each other to get better."

Kump and Fortier will platoon this season, an unlikely scenario for many hockey teams, who usually opt for a No. 1 goaltender. But in that same vein, it creates a problem. The most difficult part of having a pair of quality goalies?

"Probably the most difficult part of it is to get into a rhythm where you´re just used to playing every game," Kump said. "But at the same time, it´s nice because you come to the rink fresh every day and you´re focused to play."

Fortier was conditioned to the situation. Rising through the ranks of the Casco Bay Youth Hockey program, Fortier split time with Nick Broadwater, now the starting goalie for the Portland Junior Pirates.

But at a higher level, Kump and Fortier have developed a symbiotic working relationship.

"You don´t see the other guy pumping his fist secretly because one kid gave up a goal," Rousseau said. "You see one say to the other, ´It´s all right and it happens, so go get the next one.´ "

Out of that has emerged personal success for each player.

Fortier is in position to finish among the Falmouth hockey program´s top five in career goals-against average, while Kump is poised to set the school record for wins before he leaves after next season.

But Fortier defers to Kump.

"He knows everything," Fortier said, laughing. "So I listen to him."

"We love pushing each other. We love pushing each other´s limit when it comes to the sport. It makes us better in the long run."

The coin flip that determined the starter for the season opener only lasted one night. Almost an entire season awaits the Yachtsmen, and Fortier will start when Falmouth plays Cape Elizabeth at 6 tonight at the Portland Ice Arena. And there are no plans to change the approach anytime soon.

"These are two adolescents who are humble enough, kind enough and generous enough to share the net," Rousseau said. "Why would you mess with that?"

Staff writer Rachel Lenzi can be reached at 791-6415 or at:

rlenzi@pressherald.com