Cole Vallese’s goal with 3:26 left in the third period lifted Gonzaga to a 2-1 victory over DeMatha and to the MAPHL AA regular season title.  The Eagles finished the league season undefeated (10-0-1), with the only blemish a 3-3 tie against Mt. St. Joseph's in their first league game of the season on Nov. 13.

In a tight checking contest at the Gardens Ice House in Laurel, Gonzaga got on the board first at 2:18 of the second period when Henry Middlebrook’s shot from the point found its way past a screened Stags goaltender Andrew Takacs. The Eagles’ penalty killing unit also played a role after they did not allow DeMatha (9-1-1) to score during a five-minute major penalty for boarding on Colin O’Leary.

DeMatha’s aggressive forechecking paid off at 2:47 of the third period when Erick Reiniger stripped Gonzaga’s Kurt Bruun of the puck behind the net, spun out in front and put his shot past Dominic Basse.  The goal tied the game and set up Vallese's late game winner.

On the goal, Bruun dug the puck out of the corner and passed to Will Rosen, who found Vallese alone in the slot. Vallese's backhander beat Takacs high on the glove side.

Basse made 24 saves in the game, while DeMatha's Takacs faced 19 shots and made 17 saves.