By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/4/12
La Salle attackman Matt Rambo – the nation’s top-rated senior according to Inside Lacrosse – is expected to fully recover from a hairline fracture of his right ankle well before the 2013 season begins.
Rambo, a two-time All-American and All-Phillylacrosse.com pick who has 196 career goals, suffered the injury the day after Thanksgiving when he fell awkwardly while crossing a street. His foot is in a protective boot for several more weeks and he expects to begin workouts in early- to mid-January.
Rambo, a Maryland signee, is the focal point of a La Salle team that fell to Conestoga in the PIAA championship game and will surely enter the 2013 season as one of the top two or three teams in the national rankings and a state favorite.
“I’m sure it’s fine; it already feels fine,” he said. “There’s no pain anymore.”
Last year Rambo had 60 goals and 22 assists to help La Salle claim the Catholic League and District 12 championships. The Explorers fell to three-time defending state champion Conestoga, 10-7, in the finals. He was named the IL top Rising Senior Young Gun in the summer.
The No. 1 ranking came after Rambo reaffirmed himself as the most dangerous offensive player in the country. He scored the winning goal for Team Philly in its thrilling overtime win over The US U19 team in late June and then led Team Philly to its first Under Armour Underclassmen Games gold medal before helping La Salle win the Brine Shootout and the Duke’s LC claim the title at Champ Camp. Rambo also played in the prestigious Warrior 40 event late in the summer.
Last year La Salle was shorthanded when another top-rated player, then-junior Sean Coleman was sidelined or hampered most of the year by a leg injury incurred during the football season.
“That’s why I am going to milk this,” said Rambo. “Even if I can walk on it, I am going to wait another week to make sure.”
Rambo said he welcomes the challenge of having high expectations.
“There’s a lot of pressure,” he said, “but it’s alright. I like it.”
