Spring offers more than just cherry blossoms, March Madness and warm weather. It also brings lacrosse, one of the most popular sports around the East Coast area. At Gonzaga, the start of lacrosse season is the start of a long journey for many student athletes on Eye Street. Entering the season with a tough loss against a stacked McDonogh team, the Eagles traveled their way to Wilson Lane to take on the Landon Bears. This game was recognized as the DMV Game of the Week by Madlax, a social media and club team that tracks and ranks DMV lacrosse schools. Madlax is well known and respected by the lacrosse community, so this game has been anticipated by many.
Before playing against Landon, the team knew this was going to be a big game to change the momentum for the rest of the season. Many players on the team wanted the win, but the Eagles Coach Jeff King wanted it more than anyone.
“I don’t lose to Landon. This school doesn’t lose to Landon […]. It won’t happen and the boys know that,” Coach King said.
Going into game day, all players knew they had to be as equally mentally focused as physically when on the field. Team captains Jack Leland, senior and Georgetown commit, and Austin Cunningham, senior and Army commit, have led the way to help the team mentally lock in for the game.
“This game means a ton for us, […] especially since it’s the game of the week. We want to make the world know that we’re the best team in the country,” Cunningham said.
Again, the captains know that this game is going to affect how the rest of the season goes.
“You know we’ve been working really hard as a team. Everyone knows how much this game means to us and everyone has put in their full effort every day. It’s time to shock the world,” Leland said.
Starting off hot, Johnny Gardiner, junior and Maryland commit, scored the first goal giving Gonzaga the momentum. That momentum didn’t stop. Gonzaga continued to be a force on the field, not giving Landon a chance at victory. By halftime the Eagles were up 7-2 due to the Eagles strong defense and fast moving offense. During the second half, players like Freddy Fowler, junior and Colgate commit, Cody Hobson, junior, and Charlie McNamara, junior and Long Island commit, produced great offensive ball movement, which carried Gonzaga to an easy 12-3 win against the Bears.
“This is what they wanted. Game of the week? […] We stepped up and showed the world what we were all about,” Leland said.
All pre-season long, Gonzaga coaches and players have motivated each other to play their best game every time they step on the field. Everybody who stepped onto the field showed they had something to prove and it showed with a blowout win against Landon. Unfortunately, the team lost its next two games against Georgetown Prep and Culver Academy; their next game is Tuesday night against The Heights.