Team Detail

Lacrosse Wins Second Consecutive State Championship

5/6/2023

The Brophy College Prep lacrosse team recorded a 19-10 victory over No. 2 seed Perry to win its second consecutive Arizona Lacrosse State Championship. The Broncos were led by Offensive MVP Joshua Buse and his five goals and two assists.

“We went into the game with a lot of grit and worked hard for this moment,” said Buse. “We came through and won.”

Overall, the Broncos got goals from eight different players including five each by Buse and Laird Miller. Freshman Eli Friedman, senior Ethan Swenson and junior Erik Volfson (three assists) added two goals.

Perry, the only Arizona team to defeat Brophy this season, kept close in the first quarter with three goals and only trailed 5-3 after the first.

“We had to ride the wave,” said Buse. “There are going to be ups and downs. We capitalized on the moments we had.”

But Brophy (17-6) opened the second quarter with five unanswered to extend the lead to 10-3 and eventually led 14-5 at the half.

Perry cut the deficit to seven in the third and equaled the Broncos with four goals in the third quarter. But the game was never closer.

Deion James was named the Defensive Player of the Game, recording 13 face-off wins with six ground balls. Goalie Ryan Peitzmeier had eight saves in the net for the Broncos. Swenson recorded seven ground balls to lead the team.

It was the third consecutive state championship game appearance for the Broncos under Head Coach Pat Harbeson.

“The game was not won during the week but we overprepared an elaborate scouting report and knowing their tendencies,” said Harbeson. “They have some outstanding players and a tremendous team. It feels nice to win back-to-back but it was not something we talked about defending our title. It was about winning the day and the game, enjoying the journey and moments. That way of thinking allows special moments to happen and realize how far we have come in three years.”

Game Stats: https://www.arizonalacrosseleague.com/game/show/39296992

Watch Replay: https://apnvideo.com/2023-arizona-lax-league-1

LACROSSE 🥍 Sophomore Joshua Buse was named the game’s Offensive Most Valuable Player. He talked about his team and their win in the Arizona Lacrosse State Championship. pic.twitter.com/LL9y7Igycw
— Brophy Athletics (@BrophyAthletics) May 6, 2023