In a matchup of two of the D.C. area's top ranked lacrosse teams, Gonzaga defeated St. Mary's Ryken 11-3 Thursday in downtown Washington. For the Eagles, the top ranked team in this week's DCSportsFan Lacrosse Rankings, the victory brings them another step closer to repeating as WCAC champions, and helps elevate the program's growing prestige. For Ryken, ranked fourth, the win comes as a set back in what has been, so far, a successful season.
Gonzaga senior Sean Whitcomb led off the scoring four minutes into the game, which was followed by a goal from junior Patrick Myers. The Knights' strategy seemed to be to slow down the pace of the game and limit the number of possessions for Gonzaga. When Ryken junior Nathan Blondino scored two minutes into the second quarter, their plan seemed to be working. However, during the last six minutes of the second quarter Gonzaga took over. Joe Fitzpatrick scored twice, as well Brian Murray and Jimmy Kuzma, making the score 6-1 Gonzaga at halftime.
The Eagles didn't let up in the second half either. Junior Alex Corboy scored forty seconds into the second half, followed by two more goals from Myers. Ryken made a little run to close out the third when Blondino scored as well as senior Connor Summer, but it was too little too late for the Knights. Corboy and Myers both scored again in the fourth giving Gonzaga a comfortable win.
The fact that Gonzaga beat a team they may face again in the WCAC Championship game was not lost Gonzaga's players. Afterwards senior Captin Connor Reed said, "It feels really good knowing that they're a good team and we played really well."
When asked if Gonzaga's program was becoming a powerhouse on the same level as Georgetown Prep and Landon, Jack Slater wouldn't say exactly, but did mention that, "We haven't lost a conference game in the past two and a half years."
Reed, when asked the same question said, "I don't know. They've dominated the sport for the past twenty five years, so hopefully in the future."
Up next for St. Mary's Ryken is a matchup with Dunlaney Saturday at noon. Gonzaga will face Good Counsel next Tuesday in Olney.
| Team | Overall | PF | PA | League | PF | PA |
| Gonzaga | 12-1 | 143 | 60 | 4-0 | 53 | 14 |
| St. Mary's Ryken | 10-2 | 157 | 84 | 4-1 | 66 | 32 |
| DeMatha | 6-6 | 112 | 83 | 3-1 | 39 | 19 |
| Good Counsel | 4-7 | 82 | 106 | 3-1 | 36 | 36 |
| Paul VI | 9-3 | 126 | 72 | 4-2 | 67 | 39 |
| St. John's | 7-6 | 138 | 70 | 2-3 | 55 | 24 |
| O'Connell | 3-9 | 85 | 128 | 1-3 | 29 | 45 |
| McNamara | 2-8 | 49 | 137 | 0-5 | 5 | 103 |
| Bishop Ireton | 1-10 | 40 | 131 | 0-4 | 16 | 50 |
