Gateway lacrosse off to unprecedented start

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, April 2, 2018 | 12:36 AM

The Gateway boys lacrosse team is off to the best start in school history with a 2-0 record. This is the first time Gateway started its season with a win. It defeated Norwin, 9-6, and Baldwin, 17-5.

“Last year we were a lot younger, but it served as a great set up coming into this year,” coach John Washington said. “We got some playoff experience and have a good amount of depth on this team.”

Said senior captain Mike Macesich: “We have a great group this year, and we are excited about the experience with two seniors and eight juniors in our starting lineup. We have a lot of the same starting group this year, so the chemistry is there.”

In the win against Norwin, the Gators had nine goals from six goal scorers. Against Baldwin, they had 17 goals with eight scorers.

“The most exciting thing about this team is the depth that we have,” Washington said. “We are going to be difficult to defend if we have a number of threats on our team from top to bottom.”

Gateway is coming off of a first-round exit in the Class AA WPIAL playoffs last season against section opponent Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, which beat the Gators, 18-6. Mars, also in the section, went on to win the WPIAL championship.

“Last year I think we were mostly just focused on the fundamentals and did not really expand our game to where we wanted it to be because we did not have the experience,” Macesich said. “This year we are focused on building our game and becoming more versatile. It gives us a better chance to compete with these tougher teams.”

The Gators have never won a boys lacrosse playoff game. That is the hurdle coaches and players hope to get over this season.

“Last year we set our school record with nine wins. We hope to continue to build on that and get into the double digits,” Washington said. “But the main goal is to make it to the playoffs and see if we can make a run there.”

Said Macesich: “It is important that we continue to get better every day. The goal is always going to be a championship. That is what everyone plays for.”

Cody Scott is a freelance writer.

Tags: Gateway