In a tough game against DeMatha Catholic High School, Gonzaga College High School pulled out in a 6-4 victory. Now on a three game win streak, 14th ranked Gonzaga improved their record to 6-2.
DeMatha’s defense made it difficult for Gonzaga to stimulate much offense. In fact, three of the goals were generated from an unlikely source, senior defenseman Matt Borda. No stranger to the national spotlight, Borda became famous when ESPN showed his 80-yard goal in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship game. The goal received another 2.2 million YouTube hits after its time on ESPN. Even though he has one of the most famous lacrosse goals ever, Borda is not known for his scoring, marking only seven goals in his four-year varsity career.
In the first 9 seconds of the game, Borda ripped a goal just under the crossbar. The defenseman was playing long stick middie on the faceoff, and received a pass from senior Joe Fitzpatrick 12-yards from the goal. After DeMatha tied it back up at 2-2 for the first time since the start of the game, Fitzpatrick and Borda linked up 10 seconds after the faceoff for Borda’s second goal of the game and ninth of his career. This was the last time that the match would be tied all game, totaling at 19 seconds of tied lacrosse.
His two goals were not the end to Borda’s day offensively. After winning a ground ball in the defensive zone, Borda hustled down the field to find senior Alex Corboy who then threaded a pass to fellow senior Patrick Meyers for the goal.
Borda’s efforts not only helped Gonzaga on the scoreboard, but the excitement he brought to the field also pumped his team up. Though they are an offensively based team, Gonzaga struggled to find the net. It was important that Borda got his team energize for a game largely spent in the defensive zone. Through gridlock defense and goaltending, Gonzaga only allowed four goals in the game, making their six goals enough to win the game.
Gonzaga reach six goals with four minutes left in the third quarter, to take a 6-2 lead. From there, they held on for almost a quarter and a half, limiting DeMatha’s offense to only two more goals.
After a game against St. Mary’s Ryken, Gonzaga faces off against three elite teams to kick off April: McDonough, Georgetown Prep, and Landon School. Victories in these tough games can bump Gonzaga up in the Lacrosse Rankings. It will be tough, but though strong leadership, like what Borda displayed, Gonzaga can be a dangerous competitor for any team.
Processing your request, Please wait....
