DAILY PILOT HIGH SCHOOL MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK:Sage’s Edelstein stuffs offenses

In Alex Edelstein’s world zero means something.

It equals success, that he has done his job and most importantly it means victory.

The Sage Hill School senior is the backbone of the boys’ soccer team, and as the sweeper he is the core of the defense and keeping opponent’s at zero is his main job.

Edelstein has been a starter all four years. He was elected by his teammates as a captain when he was a sophomore and has been reelected each season since.

As a junior, Edelstein was named Academy League Most Valuable Player, but this year he has taken his defense and the team to a new level. The Lightning have yet to allow a goal this season, an own goal the only pock mark on an unbeaten season, and the defense has clamped down for six 1-0 victories and 12 shutouts in 13 games to lead Sage Hill to No. 3 in the CIF Southern Section Division VI rankings.

Lightning senior Conrad Whitaker has played on the soccer team with Edelstein all four years and participates in three varsity sports. Whitaker said what makes Edelstein, the Daily Pilot Male Athlete of the Week, special are his leadership qualities and his tenacity when it is needed most.

“He brings a commanding presence,” Whitaker said. “When he goes up to head a ball he goes in knowing he is going to get it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him lose a 50-50 ball. He’s just very committed.”

Despite being 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Edelstein attacks bigger forwards and midfielders with an intensity Whitaker said the team feeds off.

“He’s very physical, but he’s clean. He’s right on the edge,” Whitaker said. “He has no fear of injury. He’s learned to cope with pain. He’s amazing in the air. If I knew how he did it I would do it too.”

Whitaker added that if a team ever does score on the Lightning, Sage Hill will come back stronger because of Edelstein.

“It would be weird if someone scored on us,” Whitaker said. “They would see a vengeful team and that would start with Alex.”

Edelstein said prior to the season that going through league play without allowing a goal is high on the team’s priority list. The Lightning allowed seven goals last season in going 7-0-3 in league.

“We only allowed two goals my freshman year so I know it is possible,” Edelstein said. “It’s always a goal to go through league [holding opponents] scoreless. After the [pre-league season], we hadn’t allowed a goal. It was our first undefeated preseason. Usually we give up a couple goals. I knew we were in for a good year. I’d prefer to win 1-0 than 10-3. Defense has always been our strong suit.”

Edelstein is quick to credit his teammates, from the forwards on back, as deserving equal credit in the Lightning’s defensive success.

“I think everyone takes a lot of pride in it,” Edelstein said. “It’s a team achievement. The forwards take a lot of pride in playing strong defense.”

Edelstein holds winning over defensive accolades and with the Lightning making it past the first round once, to the second in the 2004-05 season, in the past four years the desire to win is heightened.

“We don’t want to get too cocky,” Edelstein said. “We don’t want to give up cheap goals. We want to finish strong in league. Defense is my main job. I’d much rather save a goal than score.”

Edelstein is not only making an impact on the soccer field, he is delivering a similar effect in the school community.

Edelstein serves as the vice president, Whitaker is the president, and is pushing agenda such as preferred parking for seniors, a school-wide survey in order to deliver a state of the union address to the board of directors and setting up school dances.

His sophomore year he helped establish a dodge ball league, which has 200 members, and raised $7,000 for tsunami relief two years ago. Faculty participate, playing on a team called “Shmaculty,” but Edelstein said the water polo team with its strong arms has the most success.

“The school has provided so much to me I want to make it a better place,” Edelstein said. “It’s tough, but if it’s something you enjoy you’ll find time for it.”

ALEX EDELSTEIN

Hometown: Detroit

Born: Sept. 21, 1989

Height: 5-foot-10

Weight: 170

Sport: Soccer

Position: Sweeper

Coach: Nourreddine El Alam

Favorite food: Cheese pizza

Favorite movie: Dodgeball

Favorite athletic moment: “My freshman year when we beat St. Margaret’s for the first time. It was 1-0 on a last-minute goal from Zach Milder. I remember it like it was yesterday.”

Week in review: Edelstein’s defense lead the Lightning to a 1-0 victory over rival St. Margaret’s.