If anyone has watched the long, limber, six foot-three senior Even Lazarus play goalie, they know he is a force to be reckoned with. He constantly shouts commands at his teammates like a field general on the battlefield.

As the temperatures drop and the leaves change color, Pascack Hills soccer begins. The team is coming off of a 5-11 record last year. This year they’re off to a 3-1 start and looking strong. A big part of their success in past years is due to the superb goaltending of Evan Lazarus. Evan credits his success to his size.

“My height is definitely my main strength because it allows me to take up most of the goal. Also I have a 6’7-6’8 wingspan that also covers a large frame of the goal while saving shots high and low.”

One of the most exiting parts in a soccer game is penalty kicks. The pressure on both the shooter and the goalie is unparalleled. Evan gave an inside scoop on what its like to be the goalie in a shootout.

“During a PK, I like to play mind games with my opponent. I watch how he opens up his hips, which normally indicates which side he’s choosing. But I’ll do some stutter steps to see if I can catch him off guard. I am all focus though during the PK round. I won’t talk to any of my teammates until the round or kick is over. If I save one, hearing the crowd roar is one of the greatest feelings I’ve had. Also, I’ll do some trash talking to compliment my save.”

Despite the poise and professionalism Evan plays with on the field, high school Goalkeeping is a fairly new endeavor for him.

“I played Goalie back in middle school and loved it. You can see the entire game unfold from the back. I would say my success in middle school inspired me to continue playing keeper after junior year, when I knew I could play at the varsity level. A good friend and former goalie Andrew Nathan was the one who really told me that goalie was a good fit for me because we had the same interests and body frame. So I took it up.”

Check out the boy’s soccer team Thursday October 1st at home at 7pm where you can see one of the best goalies in the Big North play. Evan was recently nominated for best goalie in the Big North by the Big North division and came in 8th place thanks to those who voted.