At 1-3, the 2025 DeMatha lacrosse team’s season was in danger of spiraling out of control. But the 16 seniors, their coaches and teammates weren’t about to let a little adversity derail them.
The Stags (15-4) revealed their mettle by rattling off 14 victories in their next 15 games and captured the program’s 18th league championship.
“This is a special, special moment,” first-year head coach Justin Messersmith said after the win at Georgetown University. “I’m super proud of everyone on this team.”
The title came in a 15-7 victory over St. Mary’s Ryken, a team the Stags had lost to earlier. Senior attack Matthew Beachley paved the way with three goals and four assists. He said preparation was the key to the Stags returning to the top of the WCAC for the first time since 2009.
“The coaches prepared us every day,” said Beachley, a Penn State signee and All-American who was named first-team All-Met. “It didn’t matter who we were going to play. We came to work every single day, and we believed in our coaches and each other.”
The team’s turnaround got a major boost with a 7-6 overtime win at St. John’s. DeMatha trailed 5-2 at halftime before storming back to beat the Cadets for the first time in seven years.
The Stags toppled Gonzaga 9-8 in the WCAC semifinals when senior Nick Church (Mercer) scored on a pass from Beachley with 8:20 to play. DeMatha hung on behind a stout defense and second-team All-Met goalie Cole Wittlinger (UMass).
Messersmith, an All-American in college, left an insurance job to become a teacher and coach the Stags. This is his first high school head coaching position.
“This is my life; this is my passion; it fills my soul,” Messersmith said. “I just needed an opportunity, someone to give me a chance, and DeMatha did that. I am so appreciative and super grateful.
“I don’t know how I could repay DeMatha for it.”
In the final Washington Post ranking, the Stags finished No. 4.
Did You Know?
Did you know Paul Rabil ’04 is one of the greatest lacrosse players ever and co-founded the Premier Lacrosse League?
