But while the junior may not understand everything about the position, he understands why Boyle coach Cris McMann made the move.
“He wanted to stack the defense with a bunch of strength and speed. In our (scrimmages) we didn’t have much speed back there,” His philosophy is you can’t lose if you don’t get scored on.”
Working so far
So far so good for Boyle (1-1), which has allowed one goal in each of its first two games. The Rebels gave Somerset three shots in the first nine minutes in a 6-1 win in their opener, then didn’t allow a shot the rest of the game, and Woodford County managed only four shots in its 1-0 win over Boyle three days later.
“There’s a bit more speed there than we’ve had in the preseason, and size, and I think we’re going to get stronger as the season goes on,” McMann said.
McMann said he thinks Edelen was the right man for the job even though Edelen wasn’t so sure.
“He’s played in back before, but it’s been a little while. He told me, ‘I’m not really quite sure what I’m doing back there,’” McMann said. “He’s a big, strong, fast kid. He’s aggressive.”
Edelen is bigger than he was last season after growing “a couple of inches” and gaining 10 to 20 pounds.
Edelen didn’t object to the position switch.
“It’s whatever’s best for the team. I was fine with it,” he said.
Edelen, who had two goals and six assists as a reserve forward-midfielder last season, said sweeper is “a stressful position” but also said he likes it and hopes he stays there.
“You can see the whole field and help your teammates out and try to see the field for them and talk and try to lead the team a little bit,” he said.
Of course, he isn’t alone. Connor Blevins, who had nine shutouts last season, returns as the Rebels’ goalkeeper, while Tom Porter and German exchange student Christian Boek-Stueven are settling in alongside Edelen on the back line.
“(Boek-Stueven is) eventually going to start for us, and with Tom on the other side, it’s going to be a tough defense to beat,” Edelen said.
