The Cardinal Gibbons boys lacrosse team had experienced it all last season while making their way to a 4A state championship win. Even before they had secured a 10-8 win over Lake Norman in the state championship, they faced a loss that was unimaginable.
Longtime assistant coach Jim Ryan passed away while the team was playing in Pennsylvania. Although Ryan had been out all season, this loss was felt all throughout the team.
For the rest of the season, they made it their mission to achieve one thing: the state championship – for Coach Ryan.
Receiving the News
Until the Crusaders went to Philadelphia, they were 14-1 overall, but knew that these two games would be a great challenge. Their first opponent, Springfield, is a powerhouse in Pennsylvania lacrosse.
The Crusaders ended up losing 14-7 to Springfield, but what they found out on the bus ride back to the hotel was even more heartbreaking than a loss.
They learned that Coach Ryan, who was loved by all on the team, had passed away. Hearing this was tough because not only did they experience a huge loss, but they had to play a game the next day.
Going into the game the following day, the goal was simple. Win for Coach Ryan. The Crusaders were in a tight game with Marple-Newton until the end of the fourth quarter, where it was tied at 11. Hudson Beatman shot a step-down shot and scored. After the ball went in, the team and crowd erupted with joy.s They knew Coach Ryan was with them.
Playoff Push
Fast forward to the playoffs, their goal stayed the same: win it for Coach Ryan. The Crusaders didn’t let up through the first four rounds but knew that their next game versus Middle Creek in the state semifinals would possibly be their toughest game yet. Earlier in the season, they had beaten Middle Creek 11-7. But when it comes to the playoffs, it’s a lot tougher.
This would be the third time Gibbons had seen Middle Creek in the state semifinals in four years. With under a minute to go in the third quarter, it was tied at seven. Early in the fourth quarter, the Crusaders scored to go up by one. The Crusaders scored again to go up by two and didn’t look back. The final ended up being 9-8, propelling the Crusaders to the state championship, one win away from finishing the job.
The Final Challenge
The 4A state championship was no easier than the previous game versus Middle Creek. The Crusaders had Lake Norman, the winner of the west regional championship.
Lake Norman was another team who the Crusaders had seen earlier in the season. In this previous meeting the Crusaders had gotten away by scoring an overtime game winner.
This game would be no easier as Lake Norman was another powerhouse with so much talent. Up until the third quarter it was tied at five.From that point, you could tell that Coach Ryan was with the whole team as they had played unbelievable. Zach Kerner and Justin Conly had three goals each, with Kerner winning Most Valuable Player.
As the Crusaders celebrated their state championship victory, they held up a photo of Coach Ryan.
