By Catherine Garrett | [email protected]

The fourth-seeded Juan Diego Catholic High School boys lacrosse team finished in the state’s top four after a 13-10 win over Bear River in the 4A quarterfinals May 21 and an 11-7 loss to Sky View in the semis May 25.

“Our team left it all on the field in our two playoff games,” said head coach Greg Stamatov. “We clicked on all cylinders and exuded confidence against Bear River. Against Sky View, we hit a few unlucky pipes and gave up a few early goals that we just couldn’t overcome. Our resilience to stay relevant in the game and challenge in the second half showed our true character. I’m proud of how we competed and couldn’t be more proud of the way we fought.”

Juan Diego’s season began a little rough with a 1-3 mark after the first four games before the Soaring Eagle team turned it around and ended with a winning record.

“We had a very challenging schedule with lots of 5A and 6A opponents and took it to them head on, even in defeat,” Stamatov said. “The way our team grew as individuals and bought into our culture and systems were the leaps I’m most proud of. We played for each other and learned how to be accountable and what sacrifice and discipline truly is, for the betterment of the team.”

Junior Wyatt Robertson was the offensive leader this year, scoring 53 goals. “I am continually impressed by Wyatt’s stick skills, his lacrosse IQ and his courageous efforts and relentlessness in every game,” Stamatov said. “He made every single player on our team better by being a supportive player, but a better friend and mentor. He will do great things in life and lacrosse.”

Stamatov also noted juniors Mason Kegel, Lance Ebner[LL1]  and sophomore Aidan Wigton’s impact on offense with junior Jacob Anderson and senior Logan Huggard leading the way defensively. “Jacob and Logan understood team defense and did everything they could to bring us together and solidify our defensive front,” Stamatov said, while also crediting junior Jose Funes’ on-ball defense and sophomore Austin Lund’s play in the net.

Also on the team, who finished with a 9-8 record, was seniors Callum Goodwin, Jack Jones, Antonio Rossano and Alexander Ziouras; juniors Alijah Bendinger, Jacob Cusick, Tommy Filidore, Dom Martinez-Huff, Mateo McCullough and Lucas Slobodnic; sophomores Peter Azar, Zach Drent, Koofrey Edam, Weston Eder, Andrew King, Revan Lee, Angelo Lewis, Liam Pool and Thomas Rock; and freshmen William Conley, Toby Hardin, Mario Perez, Roman Rossano and Miles Sears.

“These players showed up for practice willing to learn and be part of something larger than one’s self, all season long,” Stamatov said. “The development our team displayed from beginning to end was night and day.”

Stamatov was assisted on the coaching staff by Brad Tack and Nate Tack. “Their passion and commitment to this program and the game is of the highest intensity,” Stamatov said.

 

Stamatov said his team intends to spend the offseason honing their athletic skills in general and lacrosse fundamentals while trying to grow the sport within the community.

He said the support from the school, athletic department and parents has been incredible this season. “Juan Diego is an incredible place to be a student and pour your passion into athletics, as well as academics,” Stamatov said. “It's an indescribable honor to coach these students and teach them the game as it's meant to be played; with tenacity, with respect, with focus, and for each other. I’m very excited to see these student-athletes continue to improve their skills and apply themselves in their academics. This is just the beginning!”