Towne Athlete Meet

TOWNE ATHLETE

Edward Bulmer

Key School Soccer, Lacrosse

By Tom Worgo

Edward Bulmer was deeply disappointed he couldn’t play soccer for his club team, Maryland United, or the varsity team at Key School during the worse times of the pandemic. Yet he found a unique way to improve his skills—YouTube.

HE IS FANTASTIC AT MAKING QUICK DECISIONS. HE REALLY PAYS ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS AND THAT MAKES HIM AN OVERALL REALLY GOOD PLAYER. WE ARE ALWAYS EXPECTING BIG THINGS FROM HIM.”

Bulmer, now a senior, watched games and highlights of his favorite two players, Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City and Jadon Sancho of Manchester United, every day. Bulmer paid particular attention to De Bruyne’s passing ability and Sancho’s dribbling skills.

“I would watch particular things and then go out in my yard two or three times a day to recreate the skills and passes I saw,” Bulmer recalls. “Before Covid, I was a pretty average player. During the pandemic, I really focused on my development. It really improved my game.”

He quickly developed into a college prospect. The Davidsonville resident says playing for Maryland United the last two years has also contributed to his growth as a player. With much-improved skills, the 6-foot, 150-pound Bulmer considers himself the quarterback of the Key varsity soccer team. “I initiate most of the moves and create the chances,” Bulmer says.

Bulmer elevated his game to the point that colleges started pursuing him, including Division I Bucknell University and The College of Holy Cross, along with Division III Colby College and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Bulmer, also a four-year starter on the Key lacrosse team, visited Holy Cross and Colby this summer and hopes to attract the attention of more colleges when he plays in some showcase tournaments for Maryland United.

The Virginia Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) Showcase in Richmond and the Disney Orlando Showcase in could get him noticed more. “He is one of our better players and he will definitely play in college,” says United Maryland Coach Bob Thomas, who served as a Navy assistant men’s coach for two years. “We are trying to push him to the Division I level. He could play at one of those two schools (Holy Cross, Bucknell).” Thomas says the ECNL is the country’s top club soccer league.

The 17-year-old Bulmer says he will likely commit to a college in late-winter or early-spring. He carries a 3.45 grade-point av-

erage and is looking forward to a career in the public health field. “I have talked to Colby College a lot,” he explains. “I want to go to a school where I feel at home, but also has very strong academic and athletic programs.”

Skill-wise, Bulmer possesses excellent quickness, a high soccer IQ, outstanding passing skills, and is a tenacious defender. “He is fantastic at making quick decisions,” Thomas says. “He really pays attention to the details and that makes him an overall really good player. We are always expecting big things from him.”

Bulmer produces at a high level for Key, too. He led Key in assists last year with 18 and earned Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association honors. Bulmer got off to a great start this year with two goals and eight assists in the team’s first five games.

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