Set Up For Success

By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications

Mark Forrest is an All-American, Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List member and one of the nation's top scorers. Most importantly, Forrest is a Patriot League Champion and a team-first player who is ready to succeed in the game of life.

It's safe to say Forrest is taking advantage of his opportunity as a collegiate student-athlete.

"This past summer, I experienced some unbelievable training through Reading United and worked out with the Minnesota and New York Major League Soccer teams for a bit too," he said. "At the same time, I was getting business experience on the resume.

"Frankly, a lot of kids have soccer and if they're not making it in soccer, they're not making it in anything. It sounds depressing, but it's the reality. I have been determined to not let that happen."

Even though Forrest is currently on the radar of many MLS teams, playing professionally wasn't something he thought about until recently. Few people know that Forrest's soccer career began in another country.

"I'm from Douglassville, Pennsylvania, but was actually born in England," he said. "I lived in England until I was around five, then my dad's work brought us over to the states, we moved to Pennsylvania and have been here ever since.

23967 — On Wednesday, Forrest was named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award

"My first memories of soccer are playing in goal," Forrest continued. "I have a brother two years older than me who was playing. I started playing in England, then kept going with it right when we got to the U.S."

Forrest has "kept going" with soccer, playing in high school, college and possibly even beyond. Playing club soccer for Lehigh Valley United helped put Lehigh University on his radar. Then, it was actually a visit to Lehigh's rival, Lafayette, that helped bring Mark to Bethlehem.

"I wasn't recruited very highly," said Forrest. "I grew really late and played completely different positions than I play now. After my visit to Lafayette, my dad and I were passing signs for Lehigh University on Route 78. We decided to stop by, I obviously liked it and the decision was easy."

Lehigh head coach Dean Koski could tell that Forrest was good, but little did he know Forrest would become historically good. Entering the 2018 season, Forrest had 82 career points (33 goals, 16 assists) following a junior season that saw him tie for second nationally in points (38) and third in goals (15).

"There were times I saw him as a center back, there were times I saw him as a holding midfielder and there were times I saw him as an attacking midfielder, but I always felt that he could strike a ball really well," said Koski. "I told my staff I really want to recruit him as a target player – strong, build, athletic, soft feet and a good ball striker. I don't think anybody can predict who can score goals and who can't at this level with consistency, but I'm not surprised by his success. I saw great potential and all I could hope is when he got here, he could realize that potential."

Forrest has certainly done just that, realizing his potential because of not only his talent, but also, his intangibles such as work ethic.

"Mark spends a considerable amount of time in the offseason refining his craft," said Koski. "That's what separates the good from the great, athletes who spend time working on their own when their coaches or teammates aren't around.

"For example, Michael Jordan was someone who always worked on a different type of shot, taking thousands of repetitions to perfect the fade away jumper while he was in the NBA," Koski continued. "It was something he learned because he practiced it."

Forrest's internal drive has allowed him to find the motivation he needs for every scenario.

"When I came into Lehigh, being in a new setting and playing Division I sports motivated me to work hard right off the bat," he said. "During this past offseason, the last game of 2017 season (Patriot League Quarterfinals vs. Holy Cross) motivated me. I personally didn't have a great game."

Forrest will be the first person to take ownership of his actions, which has made him a respected captain and overall leader.

"Mark has a humility about him that everybody appreciates," said Koski. "He's pretty understated, but has a strong opinion about things. His teammates respect him, not just for his talent, but also for what he has to say and how he carries himself."

Everyone sees individual awards and accolades, but for Forrest, it's truly all about the team.

"Mark's legacy will be one of someone who is all about winning, all about competing and wanting to be successful for the team first and himself second," said Koski. "Whether that results in him scoring a lot of goals or him keeping a lot of goals out of our net, Mark knows that our emphasis this year is more defensive and he doesn't care. If it means he scores less goals, but the team wins, that's what matters to him."

23888 — Forrest stands second among active NCAA players in career points (97).

Forrest's team mindset translated off the field this past summer as an intern with EnerSys in Reading, Pennsylvania for the global leader in batteries, chargers and accessories for motive, reserve, aerospace and defense applications. A management major, Forrest worked in human resources, aiding with recruiting, writing and reviewing company policy.

"I practiced every morning from 9 until 11 a.m., then I would work for six hours," said Forrest. "You always hear people say that what you do on the field is going to translate off the field. Once you're in a work environment, you realize it's true. There's really not a big difference between a sports team and business team."

Forrest learned that he thrives on competition, no matter the setting.

"You might not be playing, but there is still a competitive aspect to the business world," he said. "You want to be better than the person in the same position. I took a lot of positives from the experience at EnerSys. You also observe things, such as not every employee working equally hard. I was really struck by the similarities between work and play."

Whether or not Mark turns playing soccer into his work as a profession, he is in a good place with a number of possible routes. Forrest has confidence that his future - whether it be soccer, the business world or both - will fall into place.

"I've always been the type of guy who goes with the flow," he said. "If opportunities present themselves through my hard work, then I'm absolutely going to take them. But if not, I'm at a really good school with other opportunities to pursue. The MLS wasn't really on my radar until last season when I was having scouts come up to me after games. That really gets you thinking.

"After that, I just said you know what? Why not give it a try. I would hate myself in 20 years if I didn't at least try."

Koski has coached a number of transcendent players over his 27-year career, including Andrew Mittendorft who was drafted in the first round of the 1999 MLS Draft. Kevin Jackson was selected in the sixth round in 2000, Adam Williamson was picked in the third round in 2005 and Adam Welch went in the fourth round in 2009, all under Koski's watch.

Forrest is chasing Mittendorf's Lehigh career goals record, and looks to follow in his footsteps to Major League Soccer.

"Mark has both the aspirations and the ability to play at the next level, but like any player going into the pro game, the difference between an MLS player and a really good college player is being at the right place at the right time with the right coach who's looking for that kind of player," said Koski. "We'll do all we can to support him and I'd like to see Mark pursue playing at the professional level. "

Forrest is set up nicely for "the next level" due in large part to the environment within the Lehigh men's soccer program. Lehigh soccer and the athletic department is a place where if you put in the work, success will come. The resources available to the student-athletes to be the best possible athletes are unlimited.

According to Coach Koski, Forrest "thrives in competitive situations," a mentality that's allowed him to make the most of his Lehigh experience, on and off the field.

"If you want the opportunity to play and you want to work hard, you can do it," said Forrest. "But if soccer doesn't work out for you, you're at a great place and you're still set up for success."

Better Me Better We

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus #6 Lafayette on November 15, 2025 , Tie , 1, to, 1

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus #4 Boston University on November 11, 2025 , Win , 1, to, 0

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Lafayette on November 4, 2025 , Tie , 1, to, 1

Completed Event: Men's Soccer at Colgate on October 31, 2025 , Tie , 0, to, 0

Completed Event: Men's Soccer at Boston University on October 25, 2025 , Win , 2, to, 0

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Seton Hall on October 21, 2025 , Loss , 1, to, 5

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus Bucknell on October 18, 2025 , Win , 2, to, 1

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