The Jesuit Lacrosse dynasty is a powerhouse in the Texas High School Lacrosse League (THSLL), continually making deep runs into the playoffs. The Rangers started their tough season, filled with matchups against nationally ranked opponents from around the country. Jesuit Lacrosse has been practicing all year in hopes of repeating their success from last year.
Lake Travis
Jesuit started their season with an impressive five unanswered goals, most of which from transfer Beckett Foley ’24, who would end the game with 6 total points with 5 goals and 1 assist. The Rangers led at halftime by eight points, and they would continue their success in the second half. Penn State commit Mac Hobbs ’22 earned a hat trick, scoring three goals. Recent Rollins commit Charlie Metz ’22 and Sewanee commit Charles Moran had 2 assists each. VMI commit Nate Duncan ’22, John Starr ’22, Charlie Schmidt ’23, and long-stick midfielder and Colorado College commit Billy Robinson ’23 all added a goal. Babson faceoff commit Will Reading ’22 went 16 for 23 on faceoffs and Richmond commit Connor Knight ’22 had 7 saves. The team had an impressive 40 groundballs, compared to Lake Travis’ meager 12. Overall a solid performance from the blue and gold, winning 13-8.
The Woodlands
Looking to start their season off strong, the Rangers traveled down to Houston to face a tough Woodlands team. It started off as a battle, as Jesuit lead 3-2 at the end of the first quarter. The Rangers battled hard with five goals and led 8-4 at the half. Jesuit played an excellent third quarter, shutting out The Woodlands while scoring four goals themselves, including two from Beckett Foley. The Woodlands scored two goals in the fourth, but Jesuit matched them, winning the game 14-6.
Mac Hobbs and Beckett Foley both earned another hat trick, scoring four each, while Nate Duncan, Charlie Schmidt, and Charles Moran added two each. Recent Jacksonville commit Cooper Coleman ’23 had six saves, while Connor Knight and Kyle Dime ’23 added two and one respectively. Jesuit won the ground ball game once again with 27 compared to The Woodlands 10. Will Reading did well at faceoff, once again, going 15-22.
IMG National (FL)
Jesuit returned back home to battle nationally ranked IMG Academy, a team playing the top talent across the country, coming from a boarding prep school, that focuses on developing future athletes. After delaying the game due to weather, they played on a frigid Saturday morning. It was a grueling matchup, going back and forth, neither team could edge a lead more than a couple of points. Mac Hobbs, Charlie Schmidt, and Beckett Foley all had two goals, and another one was added by Charlie Metz. Connor Knight had an impressive 12 saves, including several close-range saves against the IMG offense. All of this wasn’t enough, however as the IMG goalie made an incredible save in the last seconds to hand Jesuit an 8-7 loss, their first of the season.
Coppell
Jesuit traveled to Coppell to take on the Cowboys right before spring break. The Rangers got off to a hot start, leading 4-0 after the first with goals scored by Charlie Metz (2), Beckett Foley, and Mac Hobbs. They kept up the hot streak winning 7-1 at the half with additional goals scored from Charles Moran, Donald Lambrecht ’23, and Beckett Foley. Jesuit continued to blowout Coppell in the third, scoring six goals compared to Coppell’s one goal. Mac Hobbs and Beckett Foley added two goals apiece to complete yet another hat trick for both of them, while Charles Moran and Charlie Schmidt each added a goal to their total. Jesuit secured the deal in the fourth, with a goal from Greyson Kissock ’24, winning the game 14-4.
Charles Moran lead the team with four assists while Charlie Metz added two of his own. Will Reading went 14-17 on the night, adding to his already stellar win percentage, along with nine groundballs. Carter Bristow ’23 got his first reps of the season, going 3-5. Billy Robertson caused three turnovers and also had three groundballs on the night.
Spring Break
Jesuit traveled to Florida over spring break to play against the nationally ranked teams of St. Andrews (FL), Western High School (FL), and St. Thomas Aquinas (FL).
St. Andrews (FL)
To start their spring break trip, the Rangers played against St. Andrews in Florida. It was a hard-fought battle throughout the entire game. They were tied after the first at 3-3 with goals from Foley with two and Duncan. They scrapped a few points in the second half, along with spectacular defense, to edge a 5-3 over the Scots thanks to two goals from Mac Hobbs. The Rangers extended their lead in the third, leading 8-5, with goals from Foley and Hobbs, completing yet another hat trick for both of them, along with a goal from Charlie Schmidt. Hobbs wasn’t quite done yet, however, as he added three more goals in the fourth, earning himself a double hat trick. Charlie Metz also added a goal in the fourth. The amazing performance from the Rangers gave them the 12-8 win.
Will Reading won ten faceoffs during the game with four groundballs in the fourth. Billy Robertson had seven groundballs, while Tyler Gazzam had two caused turnovers on defense. Connor Knight finished the game with 8 saves.
The big win over the previously ranked third-best team in the country and the best team in the south moved the Rangers up to the 21st best team nationally. Also, the first in the south region according to Inside Lacrosse. The performance from Mac Hobbs, along with his performance against Coppell earned him USA Lacrosse Magazine Player of the Week.
Western HS (FL)
To continue on their spring break trip, Jesuit played Western High School. They kept their hot streak up, with Mac Hobbs scoring a hat trick in the first, along with goals from Beckett Foley and Billy Robertson. The Rangers extended their lead to 11-1 at the end of the half, with additional goals scored by John Starr ’22, Nate Duncan, Charlie Schmidt, Jackson Strauser ’22, and Mercer Fernandes ’23. They kept rolling in the third and had a lead of 16-2 with more goals from Hobbs, Ty Robertson ’24, and Jackson Raymond ’24. They stayed hot in the fourth and won 16-5.
Will Reading, Billy Robertson, and Charlie Metz all had two assists, while Reading also added three groundballs. Reading went 6-10 while Carter Bristow picked up four wins. Wylie Lent ’25 added three groundballs himself. Connor Knight had three saves while Cooper Coleman had five saves.
St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)
Jesuit hoped to finish their spring break trip with a win and come back with a sweep. Jesuit started their game against St. Andrews looking like they could do just that. Mac Hobbs had two goals after the first and Charlie Metz had one, giving the Rangers a 3-0 lead. They continued to push in the second, Hobbs adding another goal to continue his streak of hat tricks, while Foley, Metz, and Reading all added goals. In the third Jesuit pushed their lead to 10-4 with two goals from Hobbs, and one from Charlie Schmidt. Jesuit finished the day 15-6, adding additional goals from Hobbs, Strauser, and Mercer Fernandes, and two goals from Foley.
This big win against a respected team moved the Rangers up to 11 in the Inside Lacrosse national rankings.
St. Stephens/St. Agnes (VA)
Returning back from their spring break trip, the Rangers hoped to stay hot against a tough opponent in St. Stephens/ St. Agnes, who traveled from Virginia to play Jesuit, as well as Highland Park and Southlake on their own spring break trip. The game did not start off well as the Rangers trailed early and it stayed that way for the rest of the first half. The Rangers were struggling to set up the ball.
The Saint’s defense was not letting Jesuit set up their offense. Other factors such as the sun were setting over the bleachers, making it very hard for some players to see the ball when thrown to them, came into play leading to a few turnovers early. Jesuit stayed that way in the third quarter, trailing 7-2 going into the fourth. But with a few goals, Jesuit started to produce a comeback. This valiant effort wasn’t enough however as Jesuit would end up losing 9-7.
Mac Hobbs put up four goals, including three in the fourth-quarter comeback, while Beckett Foley had two and Charlie Metz had one. Connor Knight had 10 saves on the night, while Cooper Coleman added one in the fourth quarter. Will Reading went 15-20 on faceoffs, as well as having 11 groundballs. The Rangers had 34 groundballs on the night compared to the Saint’s 23 groundballs
Austin
The Rangers hoped to redeem themselves after a tough loss, and they traveled to Austin to play Austin High School on the road. They came off hot, scoring four goals in the first, and kept it coming in the second, leading 8-2 at the half. They added on six in the third and three in the fourth, earning the Rangers a 17-7 road win.
Mac Hobbs scored seven goals, the most in a single game in Jesuit lacrosse history, while his younger brother Brodie Hobbs ’24 added on two. Charlie Schmidt and Charlie Metz each had two goals and two assists apiece, while Mercer Fernandes added four assists of his own. The faceoff duo of Will Reading and Carter Bristow went 21-28 on the day. Connor Knight and Cooper Coleman both had seven saves in the cage and helped the Rangers convert 15-17 clear attempts.
Coming Up
The Rangers host division rival ESD at home this Friday night, then host Torrey Pines (CA) on Saturday. Jesuit will then hope to finish their season strong against Southlake, Gonzaga (DC), and Highland Park.
