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Marist names Balcarcel (Delaware Valley HS, PA) with distinction of wearing No. 34 to honor legacy of Eddie Coombs

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Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/13/24
from Press Release

The Marist men’s lacrosse program announced that senior Joshua Balcarcel (Delaware Valley HS, PA) will wear jersey number 34 for the upcoming season to honor the legacy of the late Eddie Coombs, the former Hatboro-Horsham standout.

The recipient of Eddie Coombs’ number 34 jersey each year is the Marist men’s lacrosse senior who best represents the outstanding characteristics that Coombs showed every day: passion, determination, energy, and being a great teammate and member of the community. Eddie passed away in a car accident in 2011 just before the start of his sophomore year at Marist and was a well-respected member of the college community by staff and students.

Joshua Balcarcel with Eddie Coombs’ parents, Eric and Tina

Balcarcel burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2021, appearing in three of the team’s four games during a shortened season impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Milford product appeared in 15 games as a sophomore, tallying seven goals, two assists, and two caused turnovers.

Balcarcel enjoyed a breakout junior campaign, collecting 21 goals and 12 assists while making appearances in all of Marist’s 18 games that season. Balcarcel shined brightest on the biggest stage, earning MAAC All-Championship Team honors after tallying hat tricks in the MAAC Semifinals and MAAC Championship to help lead Marist to its fourth-ever MAAC Tournament title.

Following the conclusion of the 2023 season, Balcarcel twice represented the Puerto Rican Lacrosse National Team. First, on the world’s biggest stage as he traveled to San Diego this past summer to play in the 2023 World Games.

Balcarcel was a force, producing 10 points including the game-winning goal against Ireland and he appeared on ESPN Sports Center Top-10 plays for an amazing diving goal against Israel.

In November he traveled to Jamaica with Puerto Rico to compete in the PALA Sixes Cup. In Jamaica, Balcarcel helped lead Puerto Rico to Gold, scoring four goals in the championship win over Mexico, all while displaying all the characteristics that represent Eddie Coombs.

“Josh Balcarcel is an amazing ambassador of the Marist Men’s Lacrosse program and Marist College,” said Marist Head Coach Keegan Wilkinson (St. Joseph’s University). “Everyone he comes into contact with is immediately amazed by his humble nature and compassionate energy for those around him.

“Those were traits that Edward Coombs possessed. Eddie’s dynamic and loving personality can be seen in every interaction with Josh. Josh showed the lacrosse world last year during our MAAC Championship run that he, like Eddie, can captivate all in attendance with his playmaking ability and athleticism.

“We have been fortunate to have an amazing group of men wear the #34 jersey over the last nine years and they all are unanimous along with the Coombs family, in their agreement that Josh is the perfect recipient of the #34 jersey for the 2024 season. All of our players take great pride in carrying on Eddie’s legacy, Josh is a fantastic choice and will be doing so with the full support of every member of the Marist Lacrosse family.”

The tradition dates back to the 2015 season, with current assistant coach Dave Scarcello being the first recipient. Past honorees include Joseph Radin ’16, Jimmy Murphy (Hatboro-Horsham) ’17, Brian Corrigan ’18, Matthew Selts ’19, Joe Tierney ’20 and ’21, and James Lyons ’22 and ’23.

Coombs’ legacy lives on through the Edward Taylor Coombs Foundation, which honors student-athletes who exemplify Eddie’s same strong character, provides outstanding scholar-athletes financial assistance to pursue their higher education goals so they can reach their full potential, and works with high school students around the issues of responsible decision making through seminars, forums, videos, and other education programs.

This announcement was made before the start of a private team meeting this afternoon, and Balcarcel was awarded the jersey by Tina and Eric Coombs, the parents of Eddie Coombs, who was also in attendance for the announcement and jersey presentation.