Walter Ferreti goalkeeper Denis Espinoza (green jersey) has posted 12 consecutive shutouts in Nicaraguan league play. (Photo: Jose Mora)

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Walter Ferreti goalkeeper Denis Espinoza has ventured into an area that few, if any, in CONCACAF have gone previously.  

According to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics, he established – at a minimum – a new Nicaraguan (and, possibly, Central American) record for the most consecutive domestic-league shutouts, blanking Diriangen, 1-0, in a 2015 Nicaraguan Clausura game on Saturday.  It was his 12th consecutive clean sheet dating back to last year.

The 31-year-old last conceded on October 18, 2014, when Juan Barrera found the back of the net for Real Esteli in the 72nd minute.  Without a ball getting beyond him in the subsequent 1,098 minutes, Espinoza surpassed by 26 minutes the mark Comunicaciones’ Juan Jose Paredes set in 2013.

“What fills me most with pride is to raise high the name of my country and my club,” a delighted Espinoza told CONCACAF.com in an exclusive interview.  “This is in thanks to the fan’s unconditional support.”

The former San Marcos and Diriangen player – also known as “The Octopus” -- said that personalities from sport and from the country’s government have called him with messages of congratulations. 

Espinoza made a point to dedicate the achievement to Angel Denis Espinoza Garcia, his deceased father, who introduced him to the sport.  Contrary to popular belief, he was not always a goalkeeper.

“I grew up playing as a winger, but when I played on an under-13 team, we didn’t have a goalkeeper one day and the manager told me to play in that position and I liked it,” recalled Espinoza, who is left-footed and right-handed.

The San Marcos native’s objectives do not cease with the shutout streak and individual recognition.  His greatest desire is to see Walter Ferreti end the long-term hold Real Esteli has enjoyed on Nicaragua’s lone place in the region’s biggest club tournament. 

“We hope to get Ferreti playing in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League,” Espinoza finished, adding that he also hopes to make a return to national team duty with Nicaragua and grow his total of 33 caps.