By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/24/09
Wissahickon junior defenseman Beau Gomez has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at the United States Naval Academy.
Gomez was a Suburban One Liberty Division first team selection last year when he helped the Trojans finish 10-8. Gomez also was a All-Phillylacrosse.com Honorable Mention pick.
Gomez, a member of the National Honor Society and the National German Honors Society, chose Navy over Dartmouth, Colgate and Brown. Gomez said he was impressed with Navy head coach Richie Meade and assistant Stan Ross.
“It came down to that this was the place I could see myself in the future,” said Gomez, who plays for the Rebel Elite lacrosse club. “I really enjoyed being with the team and sitting in on a practice. I just really felt a sense of teamwork and (I saw) a tight-knit group.”
Gomez is unsure of a major, but is interested in History and English. He said he has grown up in a family that values the military; his father is a former Marine who served in the first Gulf War in Iraq and his uncle graduated from the Naval Academy.
“I am looking forward to a great education at the Naval Academy,” he said. “As far as the service, there is nothing I haven’t seen before. My father was in the Marine Corps in the first Gulf War. I have grown up with it.”
Gomez enjoys playing close defense, where he can use his combination of smarts, finesse and physical skills.
“When I started playing, I always played defense,” he said. “It’s all I’ve ever known. I feel like I take a lot of athleticism to the position. The offense has a lot of potential to create and the defense has to counter that. I really like the finesse in the position.”
Gomez can now focus on the spring season. The Trojans have shown steady improvement since Gomez arrived as a freshman and this year he believes the team is ready to take a legitimate shot at winning the divisional crown.
“We return a lot of guys and I think this is probably our biggest (senior) class,” he said. “The year before my freshman year we were 5-13 and then we were 10-9. The improvement has been there and we feel it will continue this year.
“We are focusing on trying to win the league championship and going to the playoffs for the first time in a long time. We definitely have the guys that can do it; it’s just going to come down to consistency.”
Gomez is the 11th Philly junior to commit to a Division I college.
