BALTIMORE (Map, News) - It wasn’t long after Glenelg won the 3A/2A state title by defeating Fallston last season that goalie Jon Selfridge began thinking about the Gladiators defending their title.

“Right after the game ended, that’s the feeling that I had,” he said. “I just want to do anything I can to feel that  way again.”

So the senior did the one thing a goalie can do to improve his skills during the offseason: He saved as many shots as he could.

Selfridge worked with a goalie specialist three times a week, and each time would have to try to stop 600 to 700 shots aimed at different parts of the goal from numerous angles.

Selfridge estimates he saw 25,000 shots in three months.

“It’s boring. Every single night it’s the same thing, the same order,” Selfridge said. “But it’s just the repetition that builds muscle memory, so it really helps.”

The repetitions have clearly improved Selfridge, who has led the Gladiators to one of the best starts in school history. They entered yesterday’s game against Oakland Mills a perfect 8-0 overall and 6-0 in Howard County play.

But Selfridge does more than back a good defense, as he often jump-starts the offense with his pinpoint clearing passes.

“He’s a quarterback. His outlets are unbelievable,” Glenelg coach Josh Hatmaker said. “In the crease, on the run, it doesn’t matter. He’s making 50-yard passes on a dime.”

After playing baseball as a young child and not liking it, Selfridge began lacrosse when he was 6 years old. He originally split time between goalie and defense, but one thing appealed to him about staying in the crease.

“I hated running,” he said. “That’s what really turned me on to goalie in the first place.”

Selfridge was called up to varsity at the end of his freshman season, and has been the starting goalie since his sophomore year.

But Glenelg might have its best team since Selfridge arrived at the small school in Western Howard County. The Gladiators are led by senior attacker Chris Gotschall’s 17 goals and 14 assists, as he’s been complemented by attackers Tyler Burford and Josh Brown on a unit that averages 11.25 goals per game. Mike McCabe has backed a strong defense that has been formed a wall in front of Selfridge, as Glenelg is holding the opposition to just 4.7 goals per game.

“Everybody knows how each other play, and they feed off each other’s styles,” Selfridge said. “They know what they need to do as part of the team, and they know what to expect of other people as part of the team.”

But regardless of what happens to Glenelg this season, it’s not the end of the road for Selfridge, as he’ll play for Lynchburg College, a Division III school in Virginia, next year. Still, finishing his high school career with a state championship would make all those shots he took in the off season worth it.

“Just to be on top,” he said. “It would be a great end to high school.”

avitelli@baltimoreexaminer.com