WCAC Championship Game: Gonzaga vs Paul VI

Since its creation in 1987, the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference has had four different champions. The first championship went to Bishop Ireton. After Ireton’s victory, the WCAC has been heavily controlled by DeMatha, who won 17 titles from 1988 to 2009. In that time span, Gonzaga won four championships and St. Mary’s Ryken won one. DeMatha’s longest champion streak came when they won eight consecutive titles beginning in 1999.

Recently, DeMatha has lost their hold on the league. Paul VI knocked DeMatha out of the playoffs in the semifinals. Gonzaga claimed the other spot in the finals after their semifinal victory to St. Mary’s Ryken. Now, Paul VI faces off against Gonzaga tonight at 7pm to decide the 2013 champion of the WCAC.

With DeMatha’s recent drop in the WCAC, Gonzaga has been dominating the league instead. The Eagles currently hold three consecutive championships, which started in 2010. Now, Gonzaga looks to acquire one last victory of the year to claim the trophy for a fourth consecutive time.

The Eagles are coming off a sensational year. They finished ranked 2^nd in DigitalSports National Lacrosse Rankings with a 16-2 record. Gonzaga is currently on a 15 game win streak and on top form. In their two playoff performances, Gonzaga dominated the competition, scoring 39 goals and only allowing seven, acquiring a +32 goal difference.

Their opponents in the final, Paul VI, will not go down without a fight. The Panthers also had a 16-2 regular season and are currently on a five game win streak. Their efforts throughout the year earned them the 31^st rank nationally. If victorious in the final, Paul VI will claim their first WCAC championship.

Like Gonzaga, Paul VI played well in the quarter- and semifinal matches. In those two games the Panthers tallied 30 goals and only allowed 14 goals, for a +16 goal difference.

The opening faceoffs starts at 7pm tonight. From there, the teams will battle until the end to decide this close matchup. The game is important to both lacrosse programs. It can bring Gonzaga their fourth straight championship. At the same time, Paul VI can bring home their first WCAC championship. With both teams having a lot to fight for, this final game will prove to be a dramatic conclusion to two excellent seasons.