The multi-skilled Van Bastelaar posted a huge effort for La Salle in this victory. This Notre Dame commit registered a hat trick while he also quarterbacked La Salle’s offense. On his first goal, Van Bastelaar initiated from up top, blew past the initial defender, got down the left alley and ripped a lefty shot for a goal. Van Bastelaar also scored two impressive catch and snipe goals from 10 yards out. One of those rips was with his left hand and the other with his right. His ability to find and sit down in open space was evident on both goals. Malone’s quick release and precise aim left Bosco’s goalie with zero chance to stop those shots.     

Over the last few years, the Fighting Irish have been incredibly successful at recruiting the Philadelphia area. Well, Notre Dame found gold again this week in Philly when they landed vanBastelaar. This athletic and gritty two-way midfielder is considered at Top 50 prospect nationally and was a 1^st All-PCL selection after the 2025 season. VanBastelaar’s ability to create a turnover, scoop up the GB and then race down field to generate a scoring opportunity makes him a transition phenom. During 6on6 action, vanBastelaar is a poised and high IQ mid who is a threat to initiate the offense from anywhere on the field. With his quick first step and serious shake, vanBastelaar can win 1v1 matchups and then shoot or distribute on the run. VanBastelaar also thrives in two-man game action. The Notre Dame staff will make use of his underrated SSDM skills too.  

VanBastelaar is an athletic, fast, and gritty two-way midfielder who will step into the spotlight for La Salle starting this fall. Offensively, vanBastelaar is a transition phenom. His ability to create a turnover, scoop up the GB and then race down field to create a scoring opportunity is remarkable. VanBastelaar’s high IQ and poise with the ball combine to produce quality transition looks for his teams. In settled action, vanBastelaar can dodge from up top, the wing or from behind the cage. His attacking style and serious shake make vanBastelaar impossible to defend 1v1. VanBastelaar is a crafty two-man game player too. When vanBastelaar dops back, he operates as a sticky SSDM who can pursue ball carriers in the open field. Plus, vanBastelaar has a knack for pulling ground balls out a crowd.

(Older brother Paul starred at La Salle and now plays for Penn.)           

Michael Van Bastelaar Michael Van Bastelaar 6'0" | 160 lbs | M | Right Hand La Salle College | 2027 #35 Nation PA was named Honorable Mention “All-Tournament Team” for Philadelphia last summer in the Command division (2024). He jumped out on the Varsity scene as a sophomore earning 1st Team All-Catholic (2025). Michael was one of the Explorer’s most notable scorers all season long with productive results. He continued to impress at tryouts finishing at every level of the offense. Van Bastelaar is a threat inside-out, on the run, & shooting step-downs. He has the potential to follow in his brother Paul’s (LS TEAM MVP ’24) footsteps & earn his way into being selected for the senior game by 2027!