The 2022 Jesuit lacrosse team is legit. They have repeatedly shown us not only their uncanny ability to score but they have proved that they are a team lead by level-headed leaders that thrive in high-pressure situations. This was especially apparent this last weekend in two wildly entertaining games.
Jesuit vs ESD
Jesuit and ESD lacrosse. Two cross town rivals that have consistently vied for the state lacrosse titles for many years. Coming into this game the Rangers were 7-2 and coming off an explosive win against Austin High. This game featured Mac Hobbs ’22 putting on a scoring spectacle with 7 goals. ESD was also coming off a win against the Woodlands in which Junior Eagle Cooper Raney put up 7 goals himself.
Sadly, for Raney the a Ranger combination of middies would shut him off the entire game limiting his touches. On the opposite end Charlie Schmidt ’23 would torch the Eagles’ defense going for his season high of 4 goals. This was an outstanding performance from the junior and it seems like he just keeps getting better each week. Penn State commit Mac Hobbs ’22 would come down with a hat trick himself. Hobbs’ ability to fit his shots into tight corners and strange angles while maintaining such impressive speed has continued to entertain fans each week. ESD would stay in the matchup by occasionally scoring goals but the Rangers offensive went on a 5-1 scoring run in the 4th quarter to ice the game. Final score Rangers on top of the Eagles 11-5.
Jesuit vs Torrey Pines
Jesuit would now take on the number nine ranked team in California in Torrey Pines. This would be the following day from the ESD game as well as Torrey Pines second game in two days. Torrey Pines dropped a 11-10 double overtime bout to Highland Park the night before. The scouting report on Torrey Pines consisted of really two star players. Senior Griffin Grant is a Notre Dame commit at attack. Senior Tayden Bultman is a midfielder committed to the University of North Carolina, two powerhouse in college lacrosse.
The game started off bleak for the Rangers with Torrey Pines taking a commanding 6-1 lead at halftime. The Rangers would come rearing back in the 3rd quarter as Beckett Foley ’24 lead the charge with 2 goals of his own. Heading into the 4th quarter, Torrey Pines had a 8-6 lead but here is where things get interesting. A three-goal rally from the Rangers, featuring two incredible Mac Hobbs’ goals would not only earn Hobbs his 7th straight hat trick but would send the Rangers into overtime. In lacrosse overtime is sudden death 4 minute quarters. Jesuit and Torrey Pines would battle for 4 total overtimes! Keep in mind this is the second game in 24 hours for both teams. At the beginning of the 4th overtime star FOGO Will Reading ’22 headed to the faceoff dot. Reading ’22 would win the faceoff, barrel through Torrey Pines defenders and most importantly fire a game-sealing goal to send Torrey Pines back to California with a Loss.
Analysis
After a very trying weekend, the Rangers have emerged as a seasoned and explosive team that is the favorite for the state title. They have exhibited their ability to compete against the top talent in the country as well as ground their confidence for smaller in-state games. Right now Mac Hobbs is one of the elite scorers in the state of Texas and Connor Knight continues to make his case for the best goalie in Jesuit history. Because of the Ranger’s win against ESD, they have really made the case for the top team not only in the Metroplex but the favorite for the state tournament. The Jesuit squad will now face in-state opponent Southlake Carroll and nationally ranked Gonzaga next week. Gonzaga is a team from DC with 9 Division I commits.
