Lower Merion’s Audrey Brown is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The senior soccer goalie has been a standout stopper for the Aces, last fall allowing only 0.83 goals per game and posting seven shutouts for Lower Merion (16-2). A tall, athletic and quick goalie noted for her work ethic, great distribution and vocal leadership, Brown received both first team All-Central League and All-Main Line selection last fall. Off the pitch, the University of Cincinnati commit participates in Unified Track in the spring, and at Lower Merion is involved in Student Council and the Friendship Club.
Q: What part of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: Recently, I’ve been focused on my set shape and my movement in goal. More particularly, I have been working to break the habit of one large step/lunge, and turning that into multiple quick steps to be more agile and mobile in goal when receiving a shot. It’s a work in progress.
Q: Tell us about the role that on-field communication plays in a goalie’s success.
A: I really can’t express fully the importance of on field communication. It’s something I am consistently working on and have been trying to improve. With communicating, more specifically with your defense, it’s mandatory because you’re keeping the back line organized. Honestly, in the back, the goalie is in control, and you have to make the decisions and tell your defenders what they should be doing in order to stop a goal-scoring opportunity. It is clear to see the differences between a team with a goalkeeper organizing vs. not talking – it’s a whole different ball game.
Q: Is there one save that you made last season that stands out in your memory if so, can you describe how the play unfolded, and your role in it?
A: A save I remember from last season is one from the North Penn game under the lights at Lower Merion! We were down [a player] and a North Penn forward got past our defensive line at half, and I was forced to come off my line. I was at the top of the box, in a 1 v 1 situation, I closed the angle and made the big save!
Q: Tell us a little about your soccer training since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. What have you found to be the biggest challenge to your training during the pandemic, and how did you handle that?
A: Since COVID-19, my training routine changed quickly and fairly significantly. From training or playing pretty much every day, I switched to training by myself or with another one or two people almost every day. Of course, I wasn’t seeing as many shots as usual, which was a challenge, but that allowed me to focus on other aspects of my game and grow those. I worked a lot on my touches and footwork, driving balls, and distribution. Plus, this time has also really allowed me to get in better shape, conditioning and overall strength – which is vital for me.
Q: You mentioned that your favorite game of Lower Merion’s season last fall was the 3-1 win at Conestoga, the eventual Central League champion – can you share your most vivid memory of the game with us?
A: We had a high expectation of our opponent, and there was a lot of buildup to the game, but we came out as a team and got that big win we had been thinking about all season. The most vivid memory from that game was watching the last few seconds go down on the scoreboard, seeing the 3-1 score, and the team sprinting together in excitement once the time sounded.
Q: Have you always played goalie? What sparked your original interest in the goalie position? Who have been your biggest mentors as a goalie, and what was the most important thing you learned from each one?
A: I believe my first experience playing in goal was while I was playing in a rec league, I was thrown in goal because it was my turn in the rotation. I didn’t do too badly, and I actually enjoyed it! I actually went full time goalkeeper in 8th grade, and I’ve never looked back, I was definitely meant for it. My biggest mentor(s) as goalkeeper is the entire staff at TKI, The Keeper Institute in New Jersey. I train with TKI and I work with Caroline Casey. Every session I am pushing myself, improving, and learning all at the same time. Not only do they focus on the physical aspect of goalkeeping, they heavily emphasize the mental side as well. I can’t say enough about it. Ever since my first training session they push me to keep improving.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: Game days are my favorite day! Usually I get up and have a solid breakfast, usually a bagel, some eggs, and a glass of milk. Typically, I try to lay low, think about the game, play music off and on, and hang out. One of the most important things for me on game day is having a good stretch that will last around 20 minutes, in the middle of the day. Once it is time to get ready, I play some fast-paced music and put on my game face.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 99 for the Aces. Why did you pick this number – was there a particular reason?
A: The last year where I played for a club that wouldn’t allow me to play high school soccer, I wore No. 99. Once I told [Lower Merion] Coach Reis that I was playing for the Aces my junior year, he insisted that I keep 99.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Lower Merion?
A: I really enjoy all of the courses at Lower Merion. Currently, I am super into Spanish! I believe the ability to speak another language is amazing, and would love to explore a Spanish minor in college.
Fun facts – Audrey Brown
Favorite book: Fearless, by Eric Blehm.
Favorite TV show: Friday Night Lights.
Favorite movie: The Art of Racing in the Rain.
Favorite team: University of Cincinnati Bearcats!
Favorite place to visit: “Anywhere I haven’t been before!”
Family members: parents Scott and Suzanne, brother Cassidy, sister Claire.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
