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The 6-foot-6 senior center back and captain, a two-time first team All-Inter-Ac boys soccer selection, was the Fords’ MVP last fall as they won the Inter-Ac title and this season has seven goals and leads the team in points (as of Oct. 5). Recently, he scored in the last minute to give Haverford a 2-1win at Penn Charter and tallied in the last three minutes to give Haverford a 2-1 win over nationally-ranked Westtown School. Kaplan also plays soccer for FC Delco, and competed in the Maccabiah Games in Israel, where he helped Team USA win a silver medal. Off the pitch at Haverford School, Kaplan is Director of Operations for the Fords’ ice hockey team, was the junior varsity tennis team captain last spring, and is President of both the school’s Entrepreneurship Club and Ski Club.
Q: You’ve provided some key offense for the Fords this season. What do you think has been the key(s) to your scoring success?
A: My size helps a lot for headers, and according to my club coach I am a very composed finisher, so if needed I also trust my feet.
Q: What are your goals this season?
A: For the team, I want us to win the Inter-Ac, EA Day, and the PAISAA state tournament. Personally I want to win Inter-Ac MVP and be a High School All-American.
Q: What did you work on most during the past off-season?
A: In the off season I worked a lot on strengthening my base to make me better in the air, and I think it has helped a lot.
Q: What was your favorite experience of last fall, when the Fords won the Inter-Ac title?
A: My favorite memory from last year was beating GA at home to win the Inter-Ac. The year prior we came in second to last place so winning after having such a poor season just made the win that much sweeter.
Q: How do you see your leadership role as captain (one and off the field)?
A: On the field my role is being an example. Whether that be helping guys out, communicating, or scoring. Off the field I try and have a good relationship with everyone on the team.
Q: You’ve played soccer for a long time – have you always been a center back/defender? Who have been your top soccer mentors?
A: I have played every position from center back to striker. My dad was my coach for the first few years of my soccer days and he has always been my biggest supporter.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: Every morning before we have a game we have a meeting to go over some last points. Then I just go through my classes and watch some film sporadically. I also make sure to drink a lot throughout the day.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 17 for Haverford School soccer.
A: I started wearing 17 when I was 8 years old, because of Eden Hazard and continued wearing it. I was also lucky enough to get 17 as a freshman for the varsity team.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Haverford School? What do you plan to major in at college?
A: My favorite class at Haverford is Macro Economics with Dr. Gottlieb. I want to major in either Economics or Finance.
Fun facts: Thomas Kaplan
Favorite book: Great Gatsby.
Favorite author: Shakespeare.
Favorite TV show: The Office.
Favorite movie: Stepbrother’s.
Favorite athlete: Ronaldo.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: “The First 3:30 of BU Hockey Mix.”
Favorite team: Philadelphia Union.
Favorite pre-game meal: Cheesesteaks from Sonny’s.
Person I most admire, and why: “Julius Caesar, I admire the way he expanded the Roman Empire all the way to parts of England.”
Favorite ski slope: Snowmass.
Family members: parents Boris and Jo-Anne, older brother Peter, younger sisters Heather and Sally, dog Barclay, cat Daisy, three chickens and pet fish Poisson.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
To view a gallery of the previous Main Line Boys Athletes of the Week click here
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