Cardinal Gibbons boys beat Charlotte Catholic to win NCHSAA 4-A lacrosse state title

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA– The Cardinal Gibbons boys lacrosse team followed the example set by their girls team earlier in the day and held off Charlotte Catholic 12-10 to win the 2023 NCHSAA 4-A lacrosse state championship Friday night at Durham County Memorial Stadium.

The Crusaders' defense held firm down the stretch and did not allow a goal in the final six minutes of the game. For his efforts in goal, junior Chris Schwartz was named MVP of the title game. Schwartz finished the night with eight saves. 

Senior Ollie Evans opened the scoring with an unassisted goal two and a half minutes into the game. Senior Ayden Turner added the second goal half a minute later and the Crusaders never looked back as they never relinquished the lead. Evans added another goal later in the first and Junior Holden Manuel also scored in the period to take a 4-3 lead into the second.

Turner caught fire in the second, scoring three goals and helping to push the Crusaders to an 8-4 lead at the half. Turner was the offensive catalyst for the Crusaders as he ended the night with four goals and an assist. Cardinal Gibbons only scored three goals in the second half but that proved to be more than enough to secure the win. The Crusaders were also stronger on faceoffs in the second half, winning seven of 11 after the break compared to just five of 13 in the first half.

For Charlotte Catholic, juniors Jack Ransom and Colin Mendicino each recorded second-half hattricks as the Cougars attempted the comeback. Mendicino found the net four times in the game and added an assist.

With the 2023 title, the Crusaders now have six championships since the NCHSAA first sanctioned the lacrosse playoffs 12 years ago. Charlotte Catholic has now finished as runner-up twice.