Friends’ Central’s Emily Lorry is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The junior outside back has helped anchor a Friends’ Central girls’ soccer team defense which has allowed only six goals in nine games, including three straight shutouts (including a 0-0 draw against defending InterAc champion Episcopal Academy). Friends’ Central girls’ soccer head coach Luke Nowell said, “Emily is one of our top defenders and for me the best outside back in the area. She is a lock-down defender, brilliant on the ball, and makes all of her teammates around her better.”
Q: Your team had a couple of memorable shutouts against Episcopal Academy and Germantown Friends. What was your most vivid memory of each game – if it was a particular play, could you share with us how the play developed and your role in it?
A: Both Episcopal and Germantown Friends have always been very strong competitors. We knew that we had our work cut out for us going into these games but we were up for the challenge. In the game against GFS, I scored my first goal of this season off of a free kick. My teammate, Lorna Macfarlane, was fouled outside the 18 and she and I decided that I would take the shot. In the game against Episcopal, I felt the intensity from the entire FCS team as soon as we got on the bus . The particular play that stands out in my mind from that game occurred in the second half when Episcopal was attacking and we gained possession and countered. My teammate, Ava Forman, won the ball and played it to me. I took on two defenders and slotted the ball through to our freshman forward, Izzy Macfarlane, who took a shot on goal. Our combined effort that started with our back line led to a great shot.
Q: Have you always played defender? What attracted you to the position?
A: I haven’t always been a defender. When I started playing soccer more than 10 years ago, I played forward. When I was 12 years old, my club coach put me in center mid because he thought that I could distribute the ball well and had good field vision. He also played me at outside midfield in a few games. During the summer of that year, I played for a select team and the coach played me at outside back. I remember being surprised that he put me there since I was not very big at the time but he told me that my speed and foot skills were well suited for that position. I liked playing defense and started playing it for my club team as well. As a freshman for Friends’ Central, I played the No. 10 position but knew that I really wanted to play outside back. In my sophomore year, Coach Luke put me at outside back and I have continued to play that position this year. I really enjoy playing on the outside of the field. It allows me to take space and join the attack. I love taking people on 1v1. It feels amazing to beat players down the line.
Q: What do you think have been the biggest keys to your team’s fine defensive effort?
A: I am very proud of all of my teammates for practicing and playing hard every day. Our back line works very well together both on and off the field which makes playing together so much easier. We challenge ourselves and push each other to play better each day. We hold ourselves to a very high standard and try to meet that standard at all times. We are always supportive of each other on the field and never give up.
Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: I think that I am a very technical player. I am not the biggest player on the field but I think that my speed and skill allow me to take on the bigger players and win the ball or keep possession. Currently I am trying to perfect my slide tackle.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: I am a little superstitious, so I try to eat the same thing for breakfast the morning before every game, wear the same headband and listen to the same songs. I try not to think too much about the game, I just like to get out there and play.
Q: You wear uniform No. 4. Why did you pick this number – was there a particular reason?
A: I picked No. 4 because Becky Sauerbrunn wears that number. She is an amazing player and also plays defense. She works very hard and I definitely look up to her.
Q: Who have been your biggest soccer mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each one?
A: Honestly I think my brother has been the greatest influence on me. He is three years older than me and has always been in love with the game. He used to take me outside into the park and practice with me. He always wanted to push me and make me a better player. He is such a hard worker and I admire him for never giving up on anything. I think that I get my work ethic from him.
Q: You want to play soccer for a college program. 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: I am currently looking at several Division 1 and Division 3 soccer programs. I want to play soccer at the highest level possible but I also want to go to a school with high academic standards. I am interested in psychology, but I have not yet made any firm decisions regarding areas of study.
Q: You also play lacrosse for Friends’ Central, as a defender for the Friends’ Schools League champions. What was your most memorable moment during the lacrosse season last spring – can you share it with us?
A: I started last season on the sidelines more than on the field. As a very competitive person, I was not happy with that situation. I knew that I wanted to make a positive impact on the team. My coach needed a player for the face guard position, man marking the top scorers on the other team, and felt that I would suit this position well. It was a great opportunity for me to get more playing time and I worked hard to be the best I could be to help our team. I will never forget the FSL final against Shipley last spring. I man marked their leading scorer and limited her scoring to one goal.
Q: Do you participate in any other sports or extracurricular activities at Friends’ Central? What sparked your interest in each of these activities?
A: I ran indoor track last year for the first time. I wanted to improve my speed for soccer and it was a great experience running as part of the school team as well.
Fun facts – Emily Lorry
Favorite book: A Lesson Before Dying.
Favorite TV show: Friends.
Favorite movie: Dear John.
Favorite athlete: Heather O’Reilly.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Kiss it better.
Favorite team: US Women’s National Team.
Favorite color: Blue.
Person I most admire: “Heather O’Reilly, because she even when she wasn’t chosen for the Olympic soccer team she kept pushing herself to be better and supported her fellow teammates that were chosen.”
Birth date: Feb. 17, 2000 in Wynnewood.
Family members: Liz (mom), David (dad) and Ben Lorry (brother).
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
