Forster finally able to lead La Salle lacrosse on field
WARMINSTER >> The debut took a year longer than planned, but Rob Forster is just glad to be back.
Technically in his second year, but first actually on the field, the La Salle lacrosse head coach isn’t trying to rewrite the book at one of the most successful high school programs in the state. After all, he came through the program that he now leads.
The Explorers opened their PCL schedule with a display of depth, topping Archbishop Wood 18-1 on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’ve been around the guys for two years now and I work at the school so I’ve had the chance to really get to know a lot of them,” Forster said. “We’ve been with each other, we just hadn’t been able to play a game yet so getting these first couple under the belt has been good.”
The Explorers were state champions in Class 3A in 2019, the last time the state tournament was contested due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing last spring’s season to be cancelled. Shortly after that state championship, coach Bill Leahy retired and Forster, a 2005 La Salle graduate, was tabbed to replace him.
Forster went on to a standout college career at Penn State, had a spell as an assistant coach at La Salle and was the head coach at Academy of the New Church before returning to his alma mater to fill his mentor’s position. Highly-regarded assistant coaches Tony Resch, Brian Harrington and Kevin Dougherty also remained on staff.
“It’s important to just follow that same tradition,” Forster said. “I know what’s it’s all about here, Coach Leahy built this thing, he was the only coach here until Coach Resch came in. I lean on him, Coach Harrington and Coach Dougherty a lot, we’re all just trying to keep it going.”
La Salle opened its season with a very competitive 7-6 win over Radnor last weekend, then needed little time to get going on Tuesday. By game’s end, 13 different players had tallied a goal for the Explorers, paced by a hat trick from Leyton Bracken.
Like most every team just getting under way this year, La Salle doesn’t have a ton of experience back but it does have a lot of depth.
“They’ve been doing a great job taking care of themselves off the field so we could get an opportunity to be on the field,” Forster said. “Really, we’re just trying to figure it out as we go. We have a lot of leaders on the offensive end, we’re a little young on defense but we have Coach Resch there shaping them up.”
La Salle co-captain Tim Mehlmann, a senior attacker who scored a goal and assisted another Tuesday, said he and his teammates are glad to be back on the field. He said the team’s strength is its unity and the fact that the Explorers have so much depth.
Forster doesn’t want the lack of varsity experience to be a crutch and Mehlmann said the team has thrived playing under its new head coach.
“He brings an energy I love being around,” Mehlmann said. “He’s always been a part of La Salle but now being back leading us, I’ve enjoyed having him coach and teach me. He harps on us, but it’s because he understands playing here.”
Having to open against La Salle was a tough assignment for the Vikings, but goalie Matt Dombrowski stood tall against a barrage of shots to make 10 saves. Captain Dan Divita scored Wood’s lone goal in the fourth quarter.
Andrew Kelly, Franky Fix and Mason Lazasz were La Salle’s other multi-goal scorers. Harry Sweitzer had a goal and three assists.
“Not being able to play last year, we know this is a special opportunity,” Mehlmann said. “We’re just focused on getting after it every day.”
HONORING A LEGACY
Forster hasn’t changed a whole lot but he did want to start a new tradition for the program.
Each year, a senior will be chosen to wear the No. 19 jersey which was the number worn by 1999 graduate Travis Manion. Manion, a standout football and lacrosse player and wrestler at La Salle, went on to wrestle at the US Naval Academy before being commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
Manion was killed in action in 2007 serving in Iraq, making the ultimate sacrifice while aiding wounded comrades. He was awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star with Valor for his actions.
This year, Mehlmann was selected as the first player to wear No. 19 and the captain reflected on the honor.
“I’ve always looked up to Travis as a hero and a role model,” Mehlmann said. “I was really surprised when I was selected, but it’s a great honor for me.
“I’m really excited to hear that’s going to become a new tradition at La Salle and a way to continue his memory.”
At Navy, Manion met Brendan Looney, a graduate of DeMatha (Md.) who played on the Academy’s lacrosse team. Looney, a Lieutenant and Navy SEAL, was killed in a 2010 helicopter crash and the two friends would be interred next to each other at Arlington National Cemetery.
Starting in 2013, DeMatha and La Salle have played a lacrosse game in Baltimore to honor the pair. Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented the game from being played last spring and again this year but Forster said the traditional meeting will continue as soon as it is able to.
LA SALLE 9 4 2 3 – 18
ARCHBISHOP WOOD 0 0 0 1 – 1
Goals-Assists: L – Leyton Bracken 3-0, Mason Lazasz 2-1, Andrew Kelly 2-1, Connor Kwok 1-0, Nole Henry 1-0, PJ Oppenheimer 1-2, Max Monzo 1-1, Owen Dougherty 1-0, Paul Von Blasteelar 1-0, Tom Vandergrift 0-1, Franky Fix 2-0, Charlie Huntley 0-2, Anthony Rossi 1-1, Jack Vandergrift 0-1, AW – Dan Divita 1-0.
