Soccer Wins WCAC Championship

The Gonzaga Varsity Soccer team won its second consecutive WCAC championship on Sunday, November 5, with a 2-1 overtime win against DeMatha.

It was a hard-fought game, with several twists throughout. The Eagles first score came in the 10th minute when Ryan Elie '20 headed home a well-placed cross from Evan Stipano '18. DeMatha was able to get the ball forward into space for their speedy, University of Maryland-bound forward. Around the 30th minute, he and Gonzaga's goalkeeper, Nick Gerlach '18, charged after a ball outside the penalty box, with the ensuing collision resulting in a red card (ejection) for Gerlach.

The Eagles were forced to send in their back-up goalkeeper and remove an additional field player, meaning they would have to play down a man for the rest of the game. It was an anxious 10 minutes until halftime, with the team having to adjust to a new formation and cover more ground as a result of losing a player, but the lead was still theirs at the whistle.

DeMatha generated a dangerous shot from the second half kickoff, signaling their intent to score early. Five minutes later, Austin Smith '18 had a break-away on goal for the Eagles that was saved—still, it demonstrated that they were not going to just sit back. In the 55th minute, DeMatha was able to tie the game on a sensational goal.

Rather than put their heads down, the Eagles found their resolve and were the more dangerous team for the rest of the half. They created pressure in the offensive third, possessed the ball while being outnumbered, and defended DeMatha's passes well, stopping any attacking opportunity they tried to build. Gonzaga looked dangerous and their confidence was growing.

In the 65th minute, Smith hit the post from 25 yards out, and a minute before regulation ended, Ethan Boshart '18 had his goal disallowed for off-sides. But, momentum was clearly with the Eagles, and when play resumed in overtime, they picked up right where they left off. Six minutes later, Boshart received a ball in the penalty box with a defender all over him. He shielded the ball looking to pass or turn with it but was taken down, earning a penalty kick. Senior captain Ryan Teuschl '18 stepped up to take the kick, which was initially saved by DeMatha's goalkeeper. Teuschl followed up the rebound and put it in the roof of the net.

It was a dramatic end to a great game, giving Gonzaga its 10th championship in the past 19 years.