St. John Paul II lacrosse claims back-to-back titles in district finals win over Oxbridge

BOCA RATON – St. John Paul II boys lacrosse accomplished a season-long goal on Tuesday night.

For the second year in a row – and the second time in 25 years, as well – the Eagles raised the district championship trophy in front of their home crowd.

It was at once deja vu and a taste of sweet redemption.

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In a rematch of last year's district title game, St. John Paul II showed the same mettle, the same finesse, and got the same result in a 15-13 win over Oxbridge Academy.

After Oxbridge had their number almost exactly a month ago, a game in which the Eagles offense was limited to just seven goals, St. John Paul II flipped the script in an unexpected barn burner.

“Last time we played them, they did a really nice job of keeping us out of the middle of the field and not allowing us to score,” head coach Andrew Bolger said. “We had to change some things up, a couple of changes to our offense, and it worked out for us tonight.”

As it turns out, it was a simple passing adjustment that made a world of difference.

While the talent on both sides was obvious, the home-team Eagles were just a touch more precise in what ultimately became a game of inches.

“Our guys knew that if we played our game and had the ability, that we could get it back,” Bolger said. “They really wanted it. They really, really wanted it. And I wanted it, too.”

“I wanted it for them,” Bolger clarified with a smile. “Last year was the first time in 24 years. That was for me. This one’s for them.”

Cain DuBois and Peyton Norris led the Eagles with four goals apiece, and the former of the two became the first freshman in program history to record 50 goals in a season.

“We played very good team offense, very smart,” DuBois said. “We made good decisions and [minimized] mistakes. We capitalized on all of our possessions.”

As St. John Paul II made good on their offensive possessions, the defense stepped up when it was needed.

In a performance where Gavin Baca came through with a few big saves against a talented Oxbridge offense, the men in front of his net forced the Thunderwolves into long-winded possessions as time wound down, refusing to allow any easy shots.

“The goal coming in was just to play perfect defense,” Graham McCleneghen said. “We struggled in the first quarter, but our coaches brought us back in and we played great defense the next three quarters. Once our coaches brought us back in, we knew what our job was and what we wanted to accomplish.”

Back-to-back, but as the message was in the meeting: the job’s not done.

For now, the Eagles will enjoy their success in districts as they await their regional seeding.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: St. John Paul II wins second straight district championship