By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/21/11
La Salle junior attackman Matt Rambo, one of the nation’s top-rated players in his class for several years, made a verbal commitment today to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Maryland.
Rambo, a US Lacrosse All-American last year who is ranked by Inside Lacrosse as the No. 1 Rising Junior Young Gun, was one of the most sought after offensive players in the nation. Rambo scored 58 goals this year after transferring from Abington High where he led the Philly region in goals with 78 as a freshman.
Rambo, who plays for the Duke’s Lacrosse Club, also considered Hofstra, Virginia, North Carolina and Johns Hopkins. He will join former teammate Kevin Forster (Maryland freshman attackman) as well as a number of top Philly players that have committed to Maryland in recent years.
Matt Rambo log:
High school: La Salle
Graduation year: 2013
Position: Attackman/midfielder
College choice: Maryland
Intended major: Education
Club Affiliation: Duke’s Lacrosse Club
Lacrosse honors: 2011 US Lacrosse All-American, All-Phillylacrosse.com First Team; Under Armour Underclassmen member of Team Philly, 2010-11; Scored 58 goals as sophomore after leading Philly area in 2010 with 78 goals; Rated No. 1 Rising Junior Young Gun by Inside Lacrosse; earned All-EPSLA as freshman, Gait Fab 40 pick at Philly Showcase in 2010.
Why did you choose Maryland: “Academically, they offer a lot of majors 120 and I was looking for a bigger campus. It was the right fit for me. I like the coaches and I like how they can slow it down or be a high-scoring team. I like the way they play and the fact they were so successful last year (made NCAA finals). They have a team that can win a national championship in the future.”
The recruiting process: “I visited a bunch of schools and narrowed it down to four or five and I kept narrowing it down. It took a lot more time than I thought it would. Coaches will give you time when you tell them you need it.
“They understand. I appreciate all the coaches; not just the coaches at Maryland, for giving me the time. I really think the recruiting process should go slower and people should get more time.”‘
Expectations for the 2012 HS season: “It’s going to be hard. We have to work harder because we lost some key seniors like Kevin (Forster). We hope to go far and beat (defending Catholic League champion) St. Joe’s Prep, but we’ll have to work harder to do it.”
Other info: Rambo wished to than his parents and family, head coach Ebe Helm of the Duke’s L.C. and the coaching staff, former Abington coach Randy McNeil and La Salle coaches Bill Leahy and Tony Resch and their staff.
