RBHS boys lacrosse building toward the postseason

Ben Lupfer is among many seniors who has seen the Riverside Brookfield High School boys lacrosse program come a long way. With the Bulldogs in their fourth varsity season, He has lived the program’s growing pains and progress since day one as a freshman.

“It’s grown a lot. [RBHS coach Joe Urbanski] has done everything he can to bring this program up,” Lupfer said. “We’ve brought a lot of guys up and this year our team’s looking really good. We’ve got all of our guys coming back from last year. We’ve just done a great job of building a brotherhood.”

The time appears right for the Bulldogs (4-4) to take the next step. They’re seeking their first postseason victory after losing to Lemont 13-6 in last year’s St. Rita Sectional opener. In 2024, RBHS improved to 11-6 after two four-win seasons. The Bulldogs return all of their starters except graduated four-year starting goalie Alexander Gomez.

“I think the goal as a program is just give it all we’ve got because nothing’s guaranteed,” said senior Max Strong. “The goal, obviously, is to get to state but it takes winning sectionals to do that. I think we can do something big this year. If we can just get the little things fixed, get it together as a program, I think we’ve got this.”

Saturday’s 10-9 loss at Hoffman Estates on a goal in the final minute followed the Bulldogs’ last loss 11-10 to Waubonsie Valley, April 14.

They beat Oak Forest 9-5 on Monday, Marmion 10-5, April 16, Kenwood 17-2 on Senior Night, April 8, and Nazareth 13-1, April 5.

“So far, so good. We’re making strides for sure,” Urbanski said. “We just need to clean up the silly mistakes, stay out of the penalty box and play together as a team, and we’re going to be good.”

Junior Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus, a 2024 all-sectional player, and Lupfer are leading scorers. Others providing significant minutes include Strong, seniors Thomas Kos and Finbar Mathews and juniors Patrick Galloway and Joey Zimmerman. 

“[We’ve improved on] offense, just passing the ball, making sure we’re doing good plays and especially defense with our slides and stick skills,” Galloway said.

With Gomez graduating, Galloway has been pivotal in returning to goalie, a position he played as a freshman. He moved to attack in 2024.

“[Galloway] has been doing a phenomenal job,” Urbanski said.

“He’s a stud [in goal],” Lupfer added.

Urbanski said moments after Saturday’s loss that multiple tough outcomes should serve to make the Bulldogs stronger. They next play Montini (3-2) Thursday and visit Lyons Township (6-1), April 29.

“Getting [at least] one playoff win would be huge, and I think this season’s been awesome because we’ve had a lot of close games just to get us ready for these types of tough matchups in the postseason,” Urbanski said.

The victory over Oak Forest (9-2) was the Bulldogs’ fifth game decided by one-to-five goals.

“These losses don’t define us and it’s just helping us to get better,” said Lupfer about Hoffman Estates. “We get to learn what we’re doing wrong and how to fix it. It’s really going to get us prepared for that first playoff game and I think we’ve got a really good chance.”