Radnor’s Arden Jansen is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week (May 13-19)
The senior goalie, an All-Main Line girls lacrosse selection last spring, made nine saves, including a huge one in the closing minutes of a one-goal win against Conestoga that gave the Raptors the Central League title. Radnor girls lacrosse head coach Lis Zuern said, “Arden is the backbone to our defense, and an extremely hard worker. She is incredibly dedicated to the team and being the best player she can be for her team. Arden puts in a ton of work into the position outside of practice and is always looking to improve, feels that she is never too good to improve.” Next year, Jansen will be playing lacrosse for Penn State. Her sister, Abby, plays lacrosse for the University of Virginia.
Q: What is your favorite memory of the win against Conestoga that wrapped up the Central League title?
A: My favorite memory of the game was saving the last shot. It was a crease-roll from behind with 3:30 to go and I got to the opposite post just in time to make the save. This allowed us to gain possession and hold the one goal lead for the remainder of the game.
Q: Can you give us an example of how good communication between the goalie and the defense has helped the Radnor girls’ lacrosse team this season?
A: Communication is the key for our defense to navigate where the ball is. We are constantly calling out cutters and letting our teammates know where and when help is needed. Our defense is a really strong unit and I try to let them know what I am seeing to help them keep playing at a high level. They always have my back and really make my job easy.
Q: What (in your opinion) has been the most memorable save you’ve made this season – can you describe how the play unfolded, and your role in it?
A: It was during the Garnet Valley game — there was a breakaway and the player was on top of the crease and shot off hip mid. I was able to rotate my stick quickly and make the underhand save.
Q: Have you always been a goalie, or have you played other positions as well? What originally attracted you to the goalie position?
A: I started playing in 1st grade with Scoops Lacrosse. I played in the field until 4th grade and then I switched to the goalie position. I wanted to take after my older sister, Abby, who switched to playing goalie in middle school.
Q: What aspect of your play are you currently working on the most at the present time?
A: I am always working on the mental aspect of the game. The goalie position is very unique and requires a high level of mental toughness. You need to have a short memory and forget the last shot. It’s all about looking ahead and focusing on the next play.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 5 for Radnor lacrosse. Is there a reason you chose that number?
A: My dad went to Radnor High School too and he always wore No. 5. My older sister, Abby (Radnor class of 2021) also wore No. 5 so I wanted to keep the family tradition going.
Q: What first sparked your interest in lacrosse?
A: Having an older sister who loved lacrosse, is what first sparked my interest in the game. Over the years, we would spend time shooting on one another in the backyard, going to camps together, and strategizing about our playing style.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment as a lacrosse player outside of Radnor?
A: My most memorable moment as a lacrosse player outside of Radnor was playing in the New Balance All America tournament this past summer. I loved representing team Philly and making it to the championship.
Q: Who have been your biggest lacrosse mentors, and what was the important thing each of them taught you?
A: I have been so fortunate to have been coached by so many incredible coaches in my lacrosse career. Kate Goldstein, with Foundation Lacrosse Goalie Training, was one of my first coaches back in 4th grade. She has been by my side all these years and she really taught me all the fundamentals of the game. It’s even more special now that she is part of the Radnor coaching staff this year. During my past three years at Radnor, Coach Zuern, Coach (Lisa) Murphy and Coach (Tommy) Hannum have always emphasized the importance of having fun while playing the game we love. Jess Lake, Coach (Lorraine) Beers, and Pete Hewitt, have been my Phantastix coaches for as long as I have played club lacrosse. They guided me through the recruiting process and were instrumental in helping me achieve my dream of playing at Penn State.
Q: What extracurricular activities are you involved in at Radnor other than lacrosse?
A: I have grown up ski racing on Elk Mountain’s racing team alongside one of the defenders on the Radnor lacrosse team, Grace Gordon. I also played golf for the Radnor team and I am the President of the Best Buddies Club.
Q: What is your favorite academic subject at Radnor? What do you think you’d like to major in at Penn State? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?
A: My favorite subject has always been math. I intend to major in Business at Penn State and I’m planning on spending the next year trying to decide what specific area of business I want to focus on. I want to learn more about statistics and accounting.
Fun facts – Arden Jansen
Favorite book: The Mind Gym.
Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy.
Favorite movie: Home Alone.
Favorite team: Penn State.
Favorite place to visit: Pinehurst, N.C.
Favorite pre-game meal: An Italian hoagie from John’s Village Market in Wayne.
Person I most admire, and why: “I really admire my sisters Abby and Avery. They have been my strongest supporters on and off the field and both are very talented athletes.”
Family members: parents Jeff and Lori, older sister Abby, younger sister Avery.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
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