Lacrosse

The early history of the Jesuits in North America is intertwined with the development of lacrosse. Originated by native North Americans, in 1636 the French Jesuit missionary St. Jean de Brebeuf, S.J. adapted lacrosse for French pioneers in Canada.

A few centuries later, in the spring of 2012, after several years as a club team, Jesuit High School lacrosse began FHSAA play as a Varsity sport.

The Tigers enter a new era in 2025, with Noah Menendez '14 taking over as head coach following five successful seasons as an assistant under Charlie Cummins.  Cummins guided the Tigers to a 65-18 record, Region titles in 2022 and 2023, and District titles each season. Jesuit has won 6 straight District crowns (there was no District Tournament in 2020) and 9 District titles in 12 tries.

The past two seasons the Tigers have earned bragging rights for local lacrosse supremacy, earning consecutive victories over Plant in the annual Ihrig-Shaler Cup, the premier trophy game in the Region which was established in 2021.

Among the top players in 2024, when Jesuit was 14-5 and reached the Region Final, were Lleyton Hall '24 (61 goals, 30 assists - Iona signee); Cole Peck '26 (56g, team-high 33a); Gavin Paglieri '24 (38g, 8a); Jackson Jimenez '26 (31g, 27a); Aiden Eriksen '25 (35 gb, team-high 25 ta - Providence College signee); Sam Schroeder '26 (team-high 48 gb, 20 ta - St. Bonaventure commit); Logan Hardin '25 (65% faceoffs); and Cole Narkiewicz '26 (8.6 gaa, 0.543 save %).

Each year, several Tigers sign to play in college. The school's first Division I lacrosse player was Evan Olsen '08, who walked on at Providence College, and the first DI signee was  Stephano Mastro '15 (Mount St. Mary's), and among the college signees since then are Hall (Iona),  Colin Kruger '23 (Boston University), S.K. Moore '23 (High Point University), Antonin Hoppman-Salario '22 (Haverford College), Jake Lemon '18 (Canisius College), and Brad Baker '17 (Holy Cross).

The top returning Tigers in 2025 include Eriksen, Peck, Narkiewicz, Jimenez, Schroeder, Nate McLeod '25, Preston Shuster '26, and Gideon Hoppmann-Salario '25.   

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Twitter: @TampaJesuit
Instagram: @jesuit_tigers_lacrosse          

 

2025 COACHING STAFF

HEAD COACH  Noah Menendez '14, 1st season

VARSITY ASSISTANTS  Sebastian Rivers '16, Stephano Mastro '15, Shawn Needham, Terry Yarbrough, Max Troha

JUNIOR VARSITY  Nick Mastro '17 (head coach), Ryan Cox '17, James Bencivenga '19, Campbell Peck

 

Jesuit Lacrosse Alumni - College Players

Lleyton Hall '24 - Iona College
Colin Kruger '23 - Boston University
Brian Kubiak '23 - Florida Southern
S.K. Moore '23 - High Point University
Antonin Hoppman-Salario '22 - Haverford College
Kenneth Lane '19 - Salisbury University
Seth Cashen '18 - Bellarmine University
Chris Jennings '18 - Lynchburg University
Jake Lemon '18 - Canisius College
Brad Baker '17 - Holy Cross College
Thomas Chadwick '17 - University of Dallas
Ian Knott '17 - Rosemont College
Nick Mastro '17 - Marymount University
Christopher Conn '16 - Rhodes College
Stephano Mastro '15 - Mount St. Mary's Univ.
Noah Menendez '14 - University of Tampa
Cole Fox '13 - Swarthmore College
Evan Olsen '08 - Providence College

Jesuit Lacrosse - Year-by-Year

YEAR  -  COACH  -  RECORD  -  TITLES
2024  -  Cummins  -  14-5  -  District, Ihrig-Shaler Cup
2023  -  Cummins  -  17-4  -  District, Region (lost State Semi to Bolles 13-10), Ihrig-Shaler Cup
2022  -  Cummins  -  16-3  -  District, Region (lost State Semi to St. Andrew's 11-3)
2021  -  Cummins  -  14-3  -  District
2020  -  Cummins  -  4-3  -  season cut short by COVID-19 pandemic
2019  -  Henry  -  14-8  -  District
2018  -  Henry  -  20-3  -  District
2017  -  Henry  -  15-4  -  none
2016  -  Lemon  -  13-11  -  none
2015  -  Lemon  -  11-7*  -  District
2014  -  Lemon  -  8-4*  -  none
2013  -  Matzke  -  14-5*  -  District
2012  -  Matzke  -  6-3*  -  District

* there are some unreported game results in the 2012-15 seasons