Charlie Koester was named a US Lacrosse All-American (Nassau County) in 2025. Charlie had a breakout junior season, accumulating 99 points (66 goals & 33 assists). He was awarded Nassau County Attackman of the Year, in addition to All-County honors for the second year in a row. Koester led the Trojans in goals & assists, respectively, en route to their NYS State Championship (Class B) with a noted bone contusion in his left forearm. He was credited with 6 goals & 3 assists in the Semi-Finals & Finals after the injury. Talk about tough, Charlie won a State Championship with Garden City soccer earlier that school year (2024) & followed up in the Spring, praised as a lacrosse player on Newsday 1st Team All-Long Island. He plays with confidence & is a proven alpha on offense. Koester is a quick, aggressive scorer who is seriously skilled with both hands. His stellar shooting ability forces defensive adjustments & opens opportunities for others within the offense. Charlie consistently puts himself in space to finish on the inside, showing a cerebral side to his game. He is a proven producer who has already shown he can carry the weight of championship expectations. Look for Koester to take ownership of an offensive role in the Patriot League at the next level. He is expected to engineer offense early & often for the Mountain Hawks – signed to Lehigh.

First and foremost, Koester is a winner, helping Garden City soccer to back-to-back titles and winning a pair of New York state titles on the lacrosse field. The Lehigh commit was named an All-American after an insane junior season in which he racked up 66 goals and 33 assists, persevering through the final two games and filling up the stat sheet despite suffering a bone contusion. Watching the lefty throughout the year, his athletic IQ, competitive energy, and well-rounded skill set were on full display, as his game has grown significantly since his recruiting summer. Koester’s snappiness as a shooter and the diversity of his release points make his shots particularly difficult to save, and he’s gifted at shooting for the pipes and putting shots where goalies aren’t. It’s hard to watch him and not view him as a multi-year contributor for the Mountain Hawks.

The Lehigh University commit added 1 goal in the Regional final, functioning as a reliable threat in the offense. As one of Garden City’s high-IQ field players, his spatial awareness and finishing precision stand out. He projects to be a great player at the DI level thanks to his steady two-way contributions.

A Lehigh commit and Garden City’s leading scorer, Koester made a significant impact in the second half. He scored two goals in the third quarter, including a dazzling behind-the-back finish that highlighted his stick skills and creativity. Koester’s ability to dodge from X, finish in tight, and operate under pressure makes him one of the top juniors in the state. With a balanced blend of power and finesse, he’s a cornerstone of the GC offense.

The 6’0 Lehigh commit is one of Garden City’s most dynamic players and will be a key contributor in tough matchups in Group 1 play. Last spring, he recorded 27 goals and 15 assists, and this season, he’ll be one of the top options on a talented Garden City squad.