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07/23/2020 12:00 AMAndrew Souriyamath is headed into his junior year at Old Saybrook High School, where he’s made significant strides as the goalie for the boys’ lacrosse team. The Rams went through a difficult season two years ago and didn’t get to play at all this year due to COVID-19. However, after having recently been named a captain, Andrew is looking to help Old Saybrook turn things around in the 2021 campaign.
While he’s still relatively new to lacrosse, Andrew is enjoying his experience of playing the sport in Old Saybrook.
“I have only been playing for a year, and I got into the sport through friends and family,” says Andrew. “My favorite aspect of the sport is being able to meet new people and learning how to communicate.”
Andrew came to the Rams as a defender, but Head Coach Jon Mason told Andrew that he wanted him to try his hand at playing the goalkeeper’s position. From the second that Andrew stepped into the net as a freshman, Mason knew that Old Saybrook had a leader who was going to put in as much effort as it takes to improve his game.
“We gave him a shot and, with hard work and determination, he earned a starting role his freshman year,” Coach Mason says. “Andrew and I talk a lot about the pressure goalies naturally feel and how to turn that frustration into leadership qualities, so he can guide the team on the field. I am very pleased with his progress and commitment to improving not only his game, but his commitment to making the team better.”
Andrew works hard at bettering his netminding skills by consistently training and practicing throughout the offseason. When the fall campaign begins, Andrew enjoys working with his Old Saybrook teammates, while developing camaraderie with them both on and off the field. No matter what time of year it is, Andrew always makes sure that he has enough fuel in the tank to give an all-out effort once the whistle blows.
“To improve my game, I practice a lot. During the season, we have one day off, and the others, we are practicing every day. Before the season, I practice and do goalie camps. It’s all about repetitions,” Andrew says. “Another big thing for me is making sure you have enough sleep. Sleep is key to playing well and helps you feel ready and energized for what is to come.”
In his freshman year, Andrew recorded a season-high 20 saves for Old Saybrook in a loss against Cromwell. Coach Mason thinks that Andrew’s performance as a freshman was only a glimmer of the good things that are in store for his goalie as he progresses deeper into his high school career.
“I’ve coached a lot of goalies, but I’ve never seen one master the skills so quickly and confidently as Andrew has,” Mason says. “I am thrilled to see what this young man will accomplish both in the net and in life.”
Andrew credits Coach Mason for his overall development at goalie position. Andrew says that he’s enjoyed working with Mason during the first half of his Old Saybrook career.
“My relationship with Coach Mason is very close and good,” says Andrew. “We joke and like to have fun, and he also has trained me to be the best I can at the position I play.”
The Rams were disappointed that they didn’t have a season this spring, especially since they had only graduated two players from their 2019 team and were returning a solid core of athletes who were ready to make an impact. Next year, Andrew will be one of the veterans who is going to be relied upon to lead a relatively young Old Saybrook club.
“I’m looking forward to a strong season next year, and my hope is that we all continue to get better together,” Andrew says. “We have a lot of talent, and I’m just going to keep doing my best to help my teammates and hope that leads us to success.”