Over its first 12 games of the season, things were not going well for Lexington SC at either end of the field.

While there were problems in the attacking penalty area, more crucially, the side was leaking goals, and that was costing the side results. With 20 goals conceded, LSC was at a minus-9 goal differential, compared to -3.69 Expected Goal Differential through the 2-1 loss against Monterey Bay FC on June 7.

Since then, things have taken a turn for the positive for Head Coach Terry Boss’ side, with goalkeeper Brooks Thompson playing a key part. The 23-year-old posted his first shutout in the regular season on Friday night in a 1-0 win against Phoenix Rising FC, but his shot-stopping numbers have been a notable upgrade on prior starter Logan Ketterer.

In four appearances, Thompson has already accrued a -1.85 Goals Prevented mark, logging 10 saves and a save percentage of 69.2%. Compare that to the 56.1 percent mark Ketterer posted over his 11 appearances and a +0.47 Goals Prevented mark and the difference Thompson has made in three consecutive one-goal victories in the league stands out.

There’s a question as to whether Lexington’s going to be able to maintain this run. The margins the side is running on are pretty narrow – over the past three wins, LSC sits with an Expected Goal Differential of just +0.48 – but that may just be the breaks starting to go their way.

In a congested and inconsistent Western Conference, though, it’s somehow within a point of the playoff positions, and eight points from top spot. After one win in the first 12 games, that’s a much better position to be in.

Here are this week’s rankings.