By Rick Woelfel
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/6/11
Jake Landman is accustomed to being around first-rate lacrosse talent. A junior at The Haverford School, Landman is part of a program that went 23-0 and finished on top of every national poll last season.
Landman was the goalkeeper for the Fords’ junior-varsity team and worked against the varsity in practice. As he prepares to make his varsity debut next spring, Landman is playing between the pipes for the Philly-based Mesa Fresh ’13 squad that competed in the Quaker Fall LaxFest today at Radnor High.
The daylong showcase featured 16 club teams from the eastern United Stares and Canada and provided ample opportunity for over 100 college coaches to see some of the nation’s top prospects in action against other top prospects.
For a player such as Landman who is looking to establish his own identity, it was an idyllic setting.
Landman, who started playing lacrosse at age 8, spoke about the experience in a conversation with Phillylacrosse.com.
Question: Who got you started as a goalkeeper?
Landman: My cousin taught me. I loved it, I loved the challenge. I love everything about it. I like the fact that you have to be a leader on the field and you have to be the leader of the defense, kind of the quarterback of the defense. I love when the ball goes fast and I save it; it’s kind of an adrenaline rush.”
Question: You’ve had the opportunity to go against some of the finest players in the country in practice. How has that impacted your development as a goalkeeper?
Landman: I can’t even describe how much it’s (helped). Going against the best players, especially from our senior class. Every day at practice is like a game. I can’t describe how much it helped me.”
Question: “How does playing in a showcase like the Quaker LaxFest help you?
Landman: I think it’s pretty important. Coach (John) Nostrant (at Haverford School) does a really good job making sure we’re all in a good club program. Mesa is very good, I love it. If (Nostrant) sees you have potential as a player he’ll see you work with other coaches. He really gets that potential out.”
Question: How do you think your game has picked up from the start of your high school career to now?
Landman: I definitely talk a lot more. My clearing has gotten a lot better. Overall I’ve developed more as a person and a player.”
Question: How hard is it to assume a leadership role on the field when you may be younger than some of the people you’re playing with?
Landman: I just try and get their respect. I try to work with them as a teammate more than a leader.”
