In La Salle's last three games, Rambo is averaging four goals. He said that fitting in on the team wasn't difficult, as he has played with at least half the La Salle players in summer leagues or on club teams.
"All the kids love him. He's very popular," coach Bill Leahy said of Rambo, who is garnering attention from Johns Hopkins, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Rambo said he transferred to La Salle for the academics the school offered, feeling it would put him in a better position to be ready for college. He said he's not having a hard time balancing schoolwork with lacrosse, but is "writing a paper every week."
Another attraction to La Salle, was, obviously, the lacrosse program, which has won seven consecutive Catholic League titles and three state crowns. Rambo said the coaches were "down-to-earth" and have helped him do better in the classroom.
The season-opening three losses came against top programs: Episcopal Academy, Malvern Prep, and Calvert Hall (Md.). Rambo said the start was "shocking. I thought we would be better."
Leahy attributed the early performances to the uniform start date of the PIAA, which forces La Salle to practice about three weeks later than non-PIAA schools, including those in the Inter-Ac League.
"I'd rather get those strong teams out of the way now, in the beginning of the season," Rambo said.
The Explorers then knocked off three league opponents, including rival St. Joseph's Prep last Wednesday, and DeMatha (Md.) before toppling Wilton, which was then ranked fourth in the nation by ESPN.
Saturday morning, they'll face the Haverford School, ranked No. 1 in the nation by ESPN.
Forster, ticketed for Maryland, said the chance to play top programs has been "cool, but everything in PA matters the most." The senior attack said he tries to lead by example, as almost half of the roster is composed of underclassmen, including 14 sophomores.
Voting under way. Seven area players are among the nominees for the Reebok high school player of the year, given annually to the top player in boys' and girls' lacrosse.
Downingtown East's Allie Murray and Episcopal's Taylor Trimble are on the girls' ballot, and both will represent Team USA at the Under-19 World Cup this summer in Germany.
Trimble, a senior midfielder committed to Duke, will be the captain of the under-19 team. She has scored four goals in a game three times this season for Episcopal.
A senior goalie bound for Notre Dame, Murray has led the Cougars to an 8-1 record and a No. 3 state ranking by Phillylacrosse.com. Her coach, Caitlin Barbakoff, said the four-year starter is an intense and focused captain who leads by example.
The area players on the boys' ballot are Brian Dailey (Conestoga), Forster, Goran Murray (Haverford), Joe Sankey (Penn Charter), and Matt Walters (Haverford). Voting takes place online until June 1 on laxgator.com.
Contact staff writer Matt Breen at 215-854-4550 or mbreen@phillynews.com.
