Bulldogs claim state 4A lacrosse title
SALT LAKE CITY — Following on the heels of a 2024 state victory, the Judge Memorial Catholic High School boys lacrosse team had a stellar season this year. Ranked second in 4A play, they went undefeated in region play, finishing 4-0. They then breezed through the state tournament, heartily beating all their opponents.
After a first round bye, the Bulldogs crushed Ridgeline 14-3 in the second round at home. Moving to the quarterfinals, again at home, they left Payson in the dust 19-6 and continued the pattern in the May 21 semifinals game at Westminster, routing the Bear River Bears 13-3.
“Having what was probably the hardest schedule in and out of state this season prior to region and playoffs went a long way to help this team achieve their ultimate goal, ‘ending the year in a pile,’” Judge coach Jeff Brzoska said. “In every loss (outside the league) we had, we learned something about this team and the players.”
Perhaps the only surprise of the season was their opponent in the May 23 state championship game at Westminster: their Catholic schools rival Juan Diego.
“We all thought they would take down the #1 seed West Field in the playoffs,” Brzoska said.
However, he was not caught off guard when he learned they would face Juan Diego, he said. “We had two great battles with them in the year in region, and we all knew how talented they were and saw how well they were playing before the playoffs. Our coaches and players know a lot of the boys on their roster and no matter how the season is going for either team, when we get together it is always more than just another game. It’s the Battle of the Catholics.”
From the start of the final game, the #9 ranked Soaring Eagle struggled to make inroads against the Bulldogs and trailed in all four quarters: 4-1, 6-1, 1-0, 4-2 for a final score of 15-4.
“I think both teams were prepared and had great game plans for the championship, but we really executed well and just tried to start fast and never take the foot off the gas, and we did,” Brzoska said. “Lacrosse is a game of runs and a game of stopping runs, and on Friday [in the final match] we found a way to do both.”
All the Bulldogs players put in stellar performances this season, Brzoska said. “Everybody had a role and was asked to do their job, and they all did without complaints or trying to grab the glory for themselves. In four playoff games we had nine or more players register a point in each of those games. Individually, on the defensive side of the ball Connor Knight played outstanding, only giving up 13 goals in four games. Dallas Mattena at faceoff was our MVP all year as he won over 71 percent and was even better in the playoffs.”
“It was great to see the team playing their best lacrosse of the year when it mattered most,” he added. “I don’t think any team in any class would have stopped them on Friday. We stuck to our pillars and lived up to our motto of ‘Head Heart and Hustle’ and we got the win for each other, our seniors and all of Judge Memorial past, present and future.”
The state tournament performance of the Soaring Eagle team, which finished third in region (2-2), exceeded many expectations because they only made it to the quarterfinals last year. By contrast, this year, after a stunning 9-8 defeat of West Field in the quarterfinal game, the #9 ranked Soaring Eagle beat Snow Canyon 14-10 in the semifinals May 21 at Westminster before heading to the final against Judge.
“I love what JD is doing and the direction they are heading – so much young talent and hard-nose players,” Brzoska said. “They are going to be a force next year and I would not be surprised if they win the 4A championship.”
The Soaring Eagle finished the season 13-9 overall. Juan Diego coach Brad Tack could not be reached for comment for this story.
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