‘A special experience’: Bethel Park lacrosse coach Luke Lewis steps down

By: Ray Fisher
Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 10:47 AM

Luke Lewis has relinquished his duties as the Bethel Park boys lacrosse coach.

“Yes, this season’s my last as head coach,” he said. “I’ve decided to step away to focus on my growing family and prepare for the arrival of our first child.

“I told the team about my decision following the season during our exit meeting, because I felt that was most appropriate. It’s a bittersweet decision, but it’s the right time to be fully present for this next chapter of life.”

After four years as the Black Hawks’ defensive coordinator, Lewis moved into the head coaching position in August of 2022.

“Being part of Bethel Park lacrosse has meant more to me than I can put into words,” he said. “This program has been home for many years — a place that’s challenged me, shaped me and given me some of the most meaningful relationships and memories I’ll ever have.

“Coaching here has been an incredible honor, and I’m so grateful for the players, families and staff who’ve made it such a special experience.”

Part of Lewis’s coaching philosophy was to make the players and program successful beyond the field.

“Achieving and furthering our lacrosse development is only part of our coaching goals,” he said. “We strive to shape better young men through our program, encourage them to be better academically than athletically, and have them be a positive impact and representation in the community. We’ve been able to make great strides in doing that.

“Emphasizing this not only influences the team’s success, but it equips the players with tools or traits to succeed in life beyond their high school careers.”

Matty Johnson, Luke Falvo, Ty Hosler, Ethan Held and Michael Stephenson were the Black Hawks’ assistants this season.

“I had a tremendously well-rounded and experienced staff,” Lewis said. “Each coach brought so much to the table to help these boys. I’m very grateful for all of their efforts and contributions.

“As coaches, we seek effort, commitment, discipline and coachability. When the ship is built from all that, we as coaches just need to steer it.”

Johnson played lacrosse at the U.S. Coast Guard and was the Black Hawks’ offensive coordinator. Falvo, a former player at Saint Vincent, was defensive coordinator.

Hosler (Columbia College) served as goalie coach. Held (Lake Erie) coached the JV team and was a faceoff specialist coach.

Stephenson, who played for Pitt while in law school, previously was the Black Hawks’ offensive coordinator for five-plus years before his job at his law firm became more demanding.

“(Stephenson) has been with the team in some capacity since 2014, when he graduated from Bethel Park,” Lewis said. “He’s the longest committed person to Bethel Park lacrosse that I know of and surely deserves more recognition for his passion for this program than he often receives.”

Falvo and Hosler also are former Bethel Park lacrosse athletes.

Lewis, a 2014 Central Catholic and 2018 Seton Hill graduate, is employed in human resources for the Allegheny County Housing Authority. He was a four-year defensive specialist in lacrosse for the Griffins and also competed for four seasons at Central Catholic.

Bethel Park finished 12-8 in 2025 after advancing to the WPIAL playoffs as the fourth-place team in Section 1-2A.

South Fayette won the section title at 11-0 followed by Peters Township (10-1), Penn-Trafford (9-2), Bethel Park (8-3), Franklin Regional (6-5) and Chartiers Valley (6-5).

The Black Hawks averaged 11.9 goals offensively and 5.3 goals defensively in league play, and 11.2 and 7.9 overall.

“I’m really proud of what this group accomplished,” Lewis said. “We had our ups and downs, but the team showed a lot of grit and maturity throughout the year. They competed hard, supported each other, and kept showing up with the right mindset.

Bethel Park started out 7-1 with wins against Gateway, Latrobe, Moon, Cathedral Prep, McDowell, Franklin Regional and Baldwin. The Black Hawks went 3-3 down the season’s home stretch then played two playoff games.

They defeated Quaker Valley in the first round before losing to Mars in the quarterfinals.

“Bethel Park lacrosse consistently finds a way to compete,” Lewis said. “Next season will be no different, especially with a solid core of varsity contributors returning. Our younger players took advantage of the high number of reps at the JV level this season. There are many players ready to step up.

“That said, we know nothing is given and there is work to be done, but I trust that the group will remain committed to the focus on building the right way.”

Bethel Park’s regular lineup was comprised mainly of some combination of senior Max LeMessurier (attack); juniors Gavin Edkins (attack), Ryan Elphinstone (attack) and Aaron Owen (midfield); sophomores Charles Hegedus (midfield), Luca Del Greco (midfield), Alex Arnold (midfield/attack) and Kai Roule (midfield/attack); junior Zach Mingo (faceoff specialist); seniors Nate Disori (faceoff specialist/defensive midfield) and Aaron Mach (defensive midfield); sophomore Tyler Miller (midfield/defense); senior Joe DePasquale (defense); juniors Peter Velisaris (defense) and Keilen Jones (defense); and senior Trent Blum (goalie).

“The group also included Odin Lundblom, Thomas Bruney and A.J. Bielozer on defense, who stepped up and filled in throughout the year,” Lewis said. “The team had many key pieces this season.”

Edkins (ATT), LeMessurier (ATT), Hegedus (MF) and Miller (LSM) were named all-section in 2025.

Edkins, LeMessurier and Hegedus were top point scorers this season.

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