Former Marist men’s lacrosse head coach Keegan Wilkinson went to Pennsylvania to evaluate his top prospect, a player from Hatboro-Horsham High School. Wilkinson sat in a particular spot in the bleachers trying to avoid the rest of the rowdy crowd. His wish for an uninterrupted scouting experience was disrupted when the head coach’s son sat down right next to him.
The kid quickly noticed what Wilkinson was there to do, and in an attempt to help, he guided the coach’s gaze to the defensive midfielder, Eddie Coombs. Wilkinson was already there to watch Coombs, but the young boy only further reinforced his confidence. The kid referred to him as the “heartbeat of the team.”
That kid was Michael Sowers, a lacrosse phenom who grew up to play on the U.S. lacrosse team 13 years later. Sowers could not have been more right about Coombs. 15 years after his passing, the team still sees him as a symbol of everything that a Marist lacrosse player should be.
Coombs made an immediate impact in his 2011 season, causing the second-most turnovers on the team. Coombs’ “play fast, live slow” motto is still said among team members. Each season, a senior is selected to don the meaningful number; this season’s recipient of the honor is senior midfielder Drew Anderson.
“He is a super charismatic teammate and friend. He always has a smile on his face. And then he gets on the field,” said Wilkinson, who is now the head coach at Severn School in Maryland after 17 years at Marist. “Anyone who has seen Anderson play knows that he plays with ferocity, and anyone who knows him off the field will say that his personality directly contrasts that. “
Anderson could not always find that balance, though. In his freshman year, Anderson fell short of expectations as a second-line midfielder. Anderson went from being a Nike National All-Star at Los Alamitos High School in California to sitting on the bench to begin his career. The jump from the high school level to Division I was a huge adjustment, and his drop-off in production hurt his confidence.
The self-doubt Anderson developed during his freshman year became a motivating force for him. During the summer before his sophomore year, he watched more film and learned the playbook at a deeper level. Anderson has not looked back since; his offensive production has increased and, more importantly, he has become a player underclassmen look to for guidance.
Anderson entered this season as one of the team’s five preseason All-MAAC selections. While he may not possess the goal-scoring ability of junior midfielder Sean Mullan or the playmaking of junior attackmen Collin Patrick, Anderson brings a unique skill set to the table. Anderson made it for the same reason he was honored with wearing 34, his nonstop motor and fiery leadership. Those were the same traits that made Coombs so special 15 years ago and Anderson represents them to the fullest.
His intensity has made him a prolific scorer, while also being a force on the defensive side. Midfielders are the only players on the field who need to be effective on both the offensive and defensive ends. Anderson’s ability to consistently give maximum effort on the field makes him stand out.
This especially showed in his “Eddie plays.” The coaching staff emphasizes these plays by dedicating part of each postgame film session to showcasing the dirty work that sets the team up for success. During his junior year, Anderson constantly appeared in that part of the team’s film analysis. Paired with the increased leadership role, it was clear to Anderson that he was, at least in consideration for No. 34.
“Every time I go out there, I leave no doubt. Leave everything that I have, every ounce of me, out on the field because you never know when your last play is gonna be,” Anderson said.
It started as a weekly honor for whoever had the best week of practice. 2015 was the first year the number was available for a player to wear for a full season. The first player to receive the honor, current head coach Dave Scarcello, served as the team’s starting goalie that year. Under Scarcello’s leadership, the team ended its 10-year MAAC championship drought in 2015.
Anderson understands the history of this number beyond Coombs, as many Red Fox standouts have worn it. Over the previous three seasons, No. 34 belonged to James Lyons and Josh Balcarcel, who currently wear the number for the Premier Lacrosse League’s (PLL) California Redwoods.
Lyons – a graduate student during Anderson’s freshman year – truly showed Anderson what No. 34 represents. Anderson observed Lyons’ constant desire to get the ball and make a play in the fourth quarter. When most players crumbled under pressure, he embraced it.
Balcarcel and Lyons inspired Anderson, but he makes sure to lead the team his own way. He earned the No. 34 for a reason – not by trying to be someone else, but by being the player he is on the field and the leader he is off it.
Scarcello shows resounding faith in Anderson and his decision to give him the No. 34.
“Drew has been earning [No. 34] over his entire career here,” said Scarcello. “He has gone from a guy who came in as an offensive midfielder to a guy who has done everything for this team in the middle of the field. He sells out on every play that he’s out there, he empties his tank every day, he’s a phenomenal leader and teammate as an individual and person off the field, and when we talk about intangible plays that guys on the field make, Drew Anderson is leading the charge on that.”
Over the past 15 years, the team has done everything possible to pay their respects to Eddie Coombs. This has caused a complete culture shift, and as a result, they have won three MAAC championships. This cultural shift has affected their recruiting, as they can now recruit players from far beyond the East Coast. Anderson, a California native, is the perfect example of everything that made Coombs special.
Edited by Tommy Jacobellis and Mike Schiavone
Graphic by Quinn DiFiore
Photo from Marist Athletics
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