All-American goalie Mark Manos on the thrill of victory, the importance of mental toughness and the oft-painful realities of being the man between the pipes.
By Mike Unger
Name: Mark Manos
Position: Goalkeeper
Year: Senior
Major: Business Administration; concentrations in finance and economics
Cred: Named a 2010 Third Team All-American after leading Drexel to four wins against Top 10 teams. A First Team All-CAA performer and the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. Led the league in goals against average (8.29), save percentage (.585) and saves per game (11.27). Finished seventh in the nation in save percentage and ninth in goals against average.
“There’s just something about having a rubber ball shot at you at 90 miles an hour that’s kind of an adrenaline rush for me.”
When did you start playing lacrosse?
“When I was in sixth grade. A family friend signed [me] up. I fell in love with the game from the start, and it kind of snowballed from there. I liked the camaraderie of it. It’s taught me so much and has continued to teach me so much.”
What do you enjoy about playing goalie?
“It’s kind of like being a quarterback of the defense. There’s a lot of leadership involved. I like being able to help communicate with the defense to put them in the right spots. There’s just something about having a rubber ball shot at you at 90 miles an hour that’s kind of an adrenaline rush for me. I really like everything about it.”
What does it feel like to get hit by a shot?
“When you were younger it hurt, but you kind of grow used to it. There’s not as much fear as there used to be. It still hurts, it still rattles your cage sometimes, but you push through it. It’s just something that happens naturally now. You get over it pretty quickly.
What’s the best place to get hit? And the worst?
“The best is right in my stick and the worst is in the back of my calf. I have no padding on my legs.”
What physical skills are most important to be a goalie?
“Footwork and hand-eye coordination.”
How do you deal with the inevitable failure that comes with the position?
“It’s the nature of the game. You’re going to give up goals. That’s the way the game is played. You have to learn to accept that. … You give up a goal, you evaluate it then you move on from it. You forget about it and you play the next play.”
What’s been your best performance in a Drexel uniform?
“Our overtime win against Notre Dame sophomore year. We got the win on a huge stage. It was a team effort more than an individual effort. Our defense played outstanding that game.”
What’s your goal this year?
“To win the CAA and make it to the NCAA Tournament, and ultimately to that national championship game. We have a very capable team this year with our entire defense returning. We have paved the road for success and I think a lot of guys have been working hard this offseason in order to accomplish all those goals.”
What as a team do you have to improve upon to get where you want to be?
“Our communication. We have to be able to talk to one another on the field to help each other out. We’ve been working hard on that and it’s going to show this season.”
Does it feel like the first three years flew by?
“Absolutely. It’s gone by so quickly. There’s so much that’s happened in those last three years that I’ll be able to look back on that will bring a smile to my face when I’m old and not able to move around anymore. I’ve had such a great time with my teammates, it’s just an amazing group of guys that I’ve been able to connect with.”
Is there a particular athlete you look up to in terms of the way they approach their sport?
“My dad when he played football (Tony Manos played linebacker at the University of Pittsburgh). He was a hard-nosed guy, he worked hard for everything he wanted to accomplish. I really admire him for that.”
Is there a professional athlete in a different sport who you think would make a great lacrosse goalie?
“Brian Boucher from the Philadelphia Flyers. Any hockey goalie would make an incredible lacrosse goalie because of the agility they have. It’s a different type of play because you’re standing up, but I think anyone with good hand-eye coordination and quick feet would make a pretty solid goalie.”
Ever wish you could score a goal?
“Kind of, but I know it’s something that’s probably not going to happen. I think Coach Voelker would call a timeout once I hit midfield before I’d be able to make it all the way down there.”