The Chapel Hill men’s lacrosse team made its first state championship appearance since 2009 on May 17, falling to Weddington High School 16-5.
The Tigers finished the season with an overall record of 16-4, and ranked 2nd in the Conference 7 standings, their only loss coming to East Chapel Hill High School.
Chapel Hill head coach Jacob Manning, in his second season, was ecstatic with the success that his squad had.
“We came in knowing we were good, but we punched above our weight consistently this year,” Manning said. “It was incredible to see a whole team buying in to the message, practicing hard, and executing on the field. As a coach, you can’t ask for much more out of a high school season.”
Chapel Hill hosted J.F. Webb High School in the first round of the playoffs and cruised past the Warriors 19-0.
The Tigers then traveled to Conference 9 champion North Guilford High School. Entering the matchup against Chapel Hill, the Nighthawks averaged a prolific 17.2 goals per game, but, behind Chapel Hill goalie Jonathan Crabill, the Tigers were able to limit Northern Guilford to just five goals and prevailed by a score of 9-5.
“Our whole playoff run was memorable,” Manning said, “but the win at Northern Guilford was gritty. We pretty much smothered a team used to scoring 20 goals a game.”
On the lower side of the East region bracket, East Chapel Hill took care of its first two games, setting up a cross-town rematch with a chance to earn a spot in the final four.
Chapel Hill weathered a late East Chapel Hill comeback and triumphed over the Wildcats 12-11.
The win secured a berth in the Eastern Regional finals for the Tigers to face top-seeded Topsail High School.
Chapel Hill was outscored by Topsail 5-2 through three quarters of play, but the Tigers overcame the deficit and scored five unanswered goals in the fourth quarter to take the contest 7-5.
The stage was set for Chapel Hill to take on Weddington at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary for the state championship. The Warriors posted a 15-1 record coming into the match-up.
The Weddington attack was too much for Chapel Hill, as the Warriors netted 16 goals on their way to a double-digit victory, ending the Tigers’ playoff run.
Manning was still extremely proud of his team’s effort.
“We consistently played up a level,” Manning said. “Teams expected to beat us and didn’t. That’s a testament to the type of guys we have on the team, and how they bought in to our playing philosophy and what we asked of them in practice and games.”
Many Chapel Hill players were recognized for their incredible run. Senior Ben Gleiter was named Conference 7 Player of the Year, and selected to the All-State team along with juniors Brett Reynolds and Jack Grubbs.
Gleiter and senior Austin Cicale attribute Chapel Hill’s success to the family culture that formed within the team.
“The bond with this team is nothing like I’ve ever experienced on a sports team before,” Cicale said. “It honestly feels like we are all part of a family that will live on forever. Although the season is over, I’m sure that all the players from this team will always stay in contact.”
The seniors played their final game with “Chapel Hill” across their chest, but their influence on the program will not cease. When the class of 2019 were freshman, Chapel Hill only held a varsity lacrosse team. Now, through the seniors’ initiative, Chapel Hill has a full junior-varsity, as well as a flex-squad that alternates between the two levels.
“Playing lacrosse has probably been my favorite part of high school,” Gleiter said. “Everyday during the season was a great day because there was lacrosse to be played. I have made connections that will last a lifetime.”
With the leadership that the seniors have demonstrated, Manning is optimistic about the future of the Chapel Hill lacrosse program.
“I think we’ve set the expectation to compete for a championship in 3A every year. I’m excited to see if we can maintain that level next year,” Manning said. “I think we have the talent.”
