Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College
Bates University men’s lacrosse coach Peter Lasagna was pretty sure he had help uncovering a bit of a hidden gem when alerted to the talents of Matt Chlastawa.
He is happy to boast that the school’s Western Mass. secret remained largely just that until the Westfield (Mass.) High School alumnus was unleashed upon the NESCAC, and became a two-time All-American by the end of his sophomore season in Lewiston, Maine.
“He is one of those players that not a lot of people may have predicted (would have this great of an impact),” the coach allowed. “But we had an inside advantage that our former (assistant) coach Bill Mason (who is now head coach at Lasell College) knew him from his 413 club team, and knew him really well."
