After falling to Gonzaga a week earlier in a close match, 26-11, Georgetown Prep faced Our Lady of Good Counsel in the MAVRC conference semis for the fourth year in a row.

These two teams have played it close over the last few years, and usually it has been one play that decided how the game will flow.

"This has been a tight game every time lately," said senior fyhalf and captain Matthew Zaudtke. "My sophomore year we lost in overtime when I had to kick off a practice cone after the old coach forgot the tee. Last year we were going into seal the game at home and Good Counsel intercepted a pass and went 90 meters the other way to win it. This year we were determined not to let something happen, play our game through the backs and make them chase."

This approach came through early as Prep jumped out to a lead three minutes into the match through an approach that would repeat itself all day. Zaudtke or senior fullback Ultan Horrigan would kick to touch, and the forwards, led by senior co-captain Matthew Crowe, would take the lineout and apply pressure. 

An early penalty from Good Counsel, resulted in a kick and a lineout that yielded the first of two tries from junior flanker David Koffi. Prep came right back three minutes later with the same combination and it produced a try from senior prop and co-captain Jack Ondeck, staking Prep to an early lead at 14-0.

A turnover on the following restart, and then a defensive poach from Prep led to a scrum. From there, Zaudtke received the pass from sophomore scrumhalf Tommy McHale, drifted, and faked twice before finding Horrigan cutting off his hip. Horrigan was gone from about 80 meters out to make it 21-0.  Horrigan again nearly found paydirt 15 minutes later but was held up in-goal. The ensuing scrum saw Koffi from Crowe off the eightman pick. Good Counsel was staggering but not out as they capitalized on a Prep handling error to punch it in through their outside center, Sean Aaron, with seconds remaining in the first half.

Still, Georgetown Prep went into halftime up 28-5.

The second half saw Aaron punch it in again from 50 meters, showing a combination of power, elusiveness, and breakaway speed that brought life back into the home crowd and made it 28-12/

The teams settled down somewhat, and then Prep stole a lineout deep inside their own territory.  A deep high kick from Horrigan off the ruck and an excellent chase from senior wing Patrick Dolan saw Good Counsel knock the ball on towards Dolan, who alertly kicked it 40 meters up the pitch.  Counsel won the chase to the ball, however, even as Georgetown howled for a penalty. Prep did eventually take points on two occasions, with Zaudtke completing a perfect 6-for-6 day with two successful kicks. Good Counsel scored a try between those kicks to make it 34-19, and Counsel then added a try late in the game, as well. Georgetown Prep held on 34-24.

Clearly that strong started was key for Prep in yet another wild game between these two.

Prep will face #3-ranked powerhouse Gonzaga on Friday, May 10 at 7pm for the MAVRC championship.