Lower Merion goalie Will Rosenbaum is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week

The senior goalie, who has posted nine shutouts (as of Oct. 13), recorded three 1-0 shutouts in a week, against powerful Methacton (with six saves), Garnet Valley (five saves) and Avon Grove. Against Avon Grove, he scored the only goal of the game on a 40-yard free kick, then saved a penalty kick with five minutes to go. Last fall, Rosenbaum, a first team All-Main Line selection and first team All-Central League goalie, posted 16 shutouts for the Aces, who were undefeated in the regular season.

Main Line Media News: You had three shutouts in one week, all 1-0 wins, against Garnet Valley, Avon Grove and Methacton. Is there one save that you made during those three games that stands out in your memory? Was it the penalty kick you saved against Avon Grove with five minutes to go? Can you describe how the play unfolded?

Will Rosenbaum: The penalty kick in the waning moments of Avon Grove was probably my favorite in that three game series. Avon Grove had done a great job of holding us off the entire game, but I was fortunate to find the back of the net on a free kick. We were preserving a 1-0 lead when the penalty was given. Everyone had stepped up at some point during that game, so I knew that it was my turn to do the same. I picked a side, and I was fortunate to guess correctly and make the save.

Main Line Media News: As a goalie, does on-field communication with the defense play a big role in your success? Can you give us an example?

Will Rosenbaum: I would venture to say that on-field communication has been the reason for my success. I have always received a lot of credit for shutouts and low goals-against averages, but the fact of the matter is that I would be nowhere without the boys in front of me. Just as they have been able to help me, I have been able to help them, though. The nature of the goalkeeper position allows me to see the entire field and to see things that may not be clear to someone in the back line. I think that the best example of this is when I alert my backs to the presence of an off-the-ball run that may otherwise go unchecked.

Main Line Media News: Who have been your most influential mentors as a soccer goalie? What has been the most important thing you have learned from each of them?

Will Rosenbuam: In 15 years of playing, naturally, I have had a myriad of coaches. Each has taught me something valuable that I incorporate into my play. I have learned that high school soccer is a completely different beast than club soccer and ODP (Olympic Development Program), and that the game requires a very particular understanding and awareness. These understandings have come from coaches Jorge and Nico Severini.

Main Line Media News: What, to you, has been the most memorable save of your Lower Merion soccer career? Can you describe that save for us?

Will Rosenbaum: Last year when we played Strath Haven, we had posted seven straight shutouts to begin the season. With that in mind, Haven came out very strong in the opening moments. Off of the tap, they played a long ball that found a striker’s feet at the corner of the box. From there he dribbled towards the end-line (still in the box) to try and get a cross off. I left my line and made a breakaway save, which resulted in a corner. On the ensuing play, Haven hit a long corner that was headed back across the face of the goal where it found the head of another player just outside of the six. I had been shuffling across my line to keep myself in a good position. The ball was headed towards the top corner; I went airborne and tipped the ball over the crossbar.

Main Line Media News: What, to you, has been the most memorable experience in your soccer career outside of Lower Merion High School?

Will Rosenbaum: Lower Merion Soccer Club offers goalkeeper training to its travel team players. When I was younger, in addition to the regular team trainings I had with the Lower Merion Lightning, I would frequently attend goalkeeper training. Recently, LMSC has been generous enough to take me on as a goalkeeper coach. Working with kids at these trainings has been especially meaningful to me because I was in their shoes about a decade earlier.

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