Keepers of the Cup
![Keepers of the Cup]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744206001/jesuittampa/zodw4zadtmjselynbyy7/HomepageLHwinning.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744206001/jesuittampa/zodw4zadtmjselynbyy7/HomepageLHwinning.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744206001/jesuittampa/zodw4zadtmjselynbyy7/HomepageLHwinning.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1744206001/jesuittampa/zodw4zadtmjselynbyy7/HomepageLHwinning.jpg","width":1200}])
The Cup itself is modest in stature. What it represents to Jesuit lacrosse, however, is immense.
And for the 3rd straight year, the Tigers own the Cup!
Friday (April 4) at Corral Memorial Stadium, Jesuit captured the Ihrig-Shaler Cup, defeating Plant 11-5. The Cup is an annual classic between the Himes Avenue rivals, who are the best two teams in the Tampa Bay area.
Cole Peck '26 equaled the number on his jersey, scoring 4 goals, while Wesley Garcia '27 netted 3 as Jesuit surged from a 5-4 deficit in the 3rd quarter to score the game's final 7 goals. After dropping the first two games since the establishment of the Ihrig-Shaler Cup in 2021, Jesuit now has a 3-2 lead in the Cup series, and 1st year head coach Noah Menendez '14 is 1-0.
The defense, led by Preston Shuster '26, Gideon Hoppmann-Salario '25, Aiden Eriksen '25, and Sam Schroeder '26, was superlative vs. Plant along with goalie Cole Narkiewicz '26 as the Tigers stymied the potent Panthers attack. And just like in last year's Cup game, Logan Hardin '25 was dominant on faceoffs, securing critical possessions for the Tigers time and again.
Both teams entered the game, which was the regular season finale, ranked in the Top 10 among all Florida schools in the MaxPreps rankings. The Tigers begin the playoffs with a District Quarterfinal on Friday (April 11) at home. Jesuit (12-2) is ranked No. 3 in Class A, and the No. 1 (Palm Beach Benjamin) and No. 2 (Orlando Bishop Moore) teams are in the same Region as Jesuit.
During the regular season, Peck, who is committed to play collegiately at Michigan, led the Tigers in goals (45), followed by Jackson Jimenez '26 (34), Garcia (22), and Logan Eriksen '28 (21). Peck also had a team-best 22 assists, followed by Jimenez with 18.
Aiden Eriksen, a Providence College-signee, led Jesuit in takeaways with 25 followed by Shuster with 16 and Schroeder with 13. Among defensemen, Eriksen led with 45 groundballs, followed by Shuster with 43.
View photos below, and for many more photos go to the Facebook page Jesuit High School of Tampa. Follow Jesuit lacrosse on Instagram, @jesuit_tigers_lacrosse.
