Despite acquiring their first division loss, the Jesuit lacrosse team finished their season impressively, winning three out of their last four games. In this final stretch, Jesuit lost to their rival, Highland Park, by two goals, but defeated ESD, Allen and Plano West.
Jesuit began these final four games by destroying both Allen, on April 1st, and Plano West, on April 9th, winning 18-6 against Allen and 14-3 over Plano West. However, Jesuit fell to their much hated rival, Highland Park, in a nail biter on April 11th. Fueled by this loss, Jesuit defeated ESD, a division team that is now ranked second in the state.
Sophomore Garrett Munck commented on the Highland Park loss, saying, “The Highland Park game was a punch in the face, but it helped us come back and play one of our best games ever on Senior Night.” Certainly, losing to a rival two years in a row can spark new life into a team; however, a performance of this magnitude was certainly unexpected.
By winning their final game on April 17th, Jesuit clinched the number one seed going into the playoffs. In the final game, senior Lee Belland scored four goals, leading Jesuit to an eleven to seven victory. As the game drew to a close, ESD pulled their goalie and added an extra defender, allowing Jason Myers ’14 to evade the double team and score on an empty net, sealing a much needed win. Not only did the win clinch a top seeded playoff spot, but it avenged a heart breaking semifinal loss from ESD last year.
Led by five seniors who plan to play in college, Jesuit enters the playoffs ranked an impressive number one in the state and number forty four in the country, according to laxpower.com. These seniors include Belland, attending Lehigh, Meyers, attending Washington & Lee, Will Kane, attending Detroit Mercy, Hank Likes, attending Lindenwood, and John Wheeler, who is attending Salisbury.
Sophomore Matthew Favre remarked, “The [ESD] win was huge. It gave us a first round bye and an extra week of preparation for our first playoff game.” Jesuit plans to enjoy this unfamiliar week off, a luxury they did not receive last year.
Jesuit capped off a remarkable season, finishing with an 11-1 record and a 7-1 district record. The team looks to improve upon their semifinal loss last season and hopefully finish with the school’s first ever state victory. Although the playoffs have already begun, you can still come out and support your Jesuit Rangers on Sunday, April 27th, at 3 P.M. The team faces the winner of Bowie and Kingwood.
