Harriton goalie Lucas Serlin is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
The senior goalie posted five straight shutouts just after returning from injury, boosting the Harriton boys’ soccer team from a 5-5-1 record to a 10-5-1 mark. The last two shutouts were most impressive as two of Harriton’s top defenders were out with injury. Lucas and his twin brother Felix, the Rams’ center mid, are members of Harriton’s very prestigious Physics Science Olympiad Team that competes nationally every year.
Q: Is there one save that you made during your five-game shutout streak that stands out in your memory? Can you describe how the play unfolded, and your role in it?
A: The save that stands out the most to me was one of the last saves I made against Springfield, it wasn’t a difficult save. Our defense forced the Springfield player to the top right of the 18 where he took a shot. The shot was low and hard; I collapsed on it. The save stands out to me because we lost to Springfield the year before in playoffs, and it meant a lot to me and the team to beat them. Shoutout to the Harriton defense: Anthony Calligaro, Willie Marks, Aaron Dickman and Matt Binnion, without whom Harrition never could’ve had five straight shutouts.
Q: As a goalie, does on-field communication with the defense play a big role in your success? Can you give us an example?
A: Absolutely, communication is crucial; not only with the defense, with the whole team. I’m the only player on the field, besides the other goalie, that can see the entire field. It’s my job to inform my team mates of threats they don’t see coming. Most of the time, that means yelling at my defense to step up, cover an area or clear the ball. We all make mistakes, so it’s important to help each other out.
Q: The last two shutouts occurred with Harriton’s two top defenders out with injuries. Did their absence present any special challenges for the team or for you as a goalie?
A: Their absence was noticeable, but the rest of the team stepped up to the challenge. We changed our lineup from four in the back to three. This change didn’t affect me that much, I could tell the dynamic of the team shifted towards offense but we still had a very strong defense.
Q: Your twin brother Felix is a center mid and a solid scorer for the Rams. Can you tell us a little about the influence he has had on your soccer career? Do you find that you communicate especially well with him on the field (anticipate his on-field actions particularly well, etc.)?
A: Felix and I both played soccer for Lower Merion Soccer Club growing up. He played on the A team, while I played on the B team. I always liked playing with him because he was really good at soccer, he made me want to be better. I can communicate with him if I need to. The level of communication is the same with Felix as it is with the rest of the team.
Q: Have you always played goalie? What sparked your original interest in the goalie position?
A: I didn’t always play goalie, I used to play striker for my club team – The Blast. However, coming into high school, there were a lack of goalies, so I gave it a shot. I wound up third string goalie for [Harriton] varsity in 10th grade.
Q: As a goalie, how do you feel you can best exert positive leadership to the Harriton squad?
A: I see the entire field, so whenever people make mistakes I can identify problems we have as a team and offer solutions.
Q: You came back from an injury earlier this season. Tell us a little about your rehab – did that present any special challenges?
A: Rehab wasn’t bad. Harriton’s athletic trainer gave me stretches to do daily. I recovered quickly. The hardest part of being injured is not being able to play. Watching your team play without you is frustrating, especially when your team is losing.
Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game as a goalie?
A: I think the strongest part of my game is reflexes. Technique can only make a player so good.
Q: What part of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: I am working on controlling the goalie box, coming off my line quickly and getting to the ball first.
Q: You and Felix are members of Harriton’s prestigious Physics Science Olympiad Team that competes nationally every year. Can you tell us about the Olympiad – what has been your most memorable experience as a member of the Olympiad?
A: Science Olympiad is science competition. There are 23 different events, seven of which are building events. The remaining 16 events are study events. Events range from astronomy, anatomy, and geology to robotics and bridge building. 15 people make a team. Teams face off in regionals. Those who qualify compete at states, and the top two teams from Pennsylvania go to nationals.
The most memorable experience I had as a member was going to Nationals when I was in ninth grade. I wasn’t on the competing team, but when I saw all the upperclassmen collecting medals for having placed top six in the national, it filled me with awe. That was the year Harriton placed second in the country.
Q: What colleges are among your current favorites? What do you think you might like to major in at college? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: The colleges I’m most interested right now are Johns Hopkins University and Carnegie Mellon University. I want to major in engineering, though I don’t know which branch I want to study. Science Olympiad has influenced my interests.
Lucas Serlin’s top picks
Book: Animal Farm.
Author: George Orwell.
TV show: How I Met Your Mother.
Movie: Avatar.
Pre-game pump-up song: Runaway (U & I) – Galantis.
Athlete: [Harriton boys’ soccer head coach] Biff Sturla, former Rams soccer player.
Team: Harriton Rams.
Historical figure: “I can’t think of anyone in particular, but I greatly admire people who do what they love, and are great at it. I hope to do this one day.”
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
