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Archbishop Spalding goalkeeper Gavin McCormack announced on June 23 that he will enroll at Catholic University, citing a mix of academic strength and athletic opportunity that made the Washington, D.C., school the right fit. His decision bolsters a familiar local recruiting route while giving the Cardinals another piece as they build on a standout 2024–25 season.
McCormack — a product of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association — said the move was driven by more than lacrosse. He singled out Catholic’s engineering offerings, the appeal of small class sizes and the chance to work closely with professors, along with internship and career access that comes with a D.C. location.
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Why the choice matters now
The commitment matters for two reasons: it sustains the long-running pipeline from Baltimore-area Catholic high schools to Catholic universities, and it gives Catholic a promising recruit at a position — goalie — that can immediately affect results. For a program pushing deeper into conference contention, that can translate to real momentum on the field.
McCormack also noted a strong personal fit with head coach Peter Donley and the athletic department, saying their plans for program growth were persuasive. That relationship, he said, made the prospect of juggling engineering coursework and Division III lacrosse feel realistic.
Where Catholic stands
Catholic enters the next recruiting cycle on the heels of one of its best seasons. The Cardinals closed the spring at 13–6 overall and posted an 8–1 mark in Landmark Conference play, advancing to the conference championship game for the first time since 2022. The 13 wins were just one short of the program record.
Donley, now wrapping his third season as head coach, has guided the Cardinals to the Landmark Conference tournament each year he’s been at the helm — a steady pattern that has elevated expectations in the program.
- Player fit: McCormack joins a roster where a starting role could be competitive but attainable, especially for a player who highlights leadership and positional readiness.
- Academic pathway: A respected engineering curriculum plus D.C. internships create a dual pathway for career preparation outside sport.
- Program trajectory: Recent success and consistent postseason appearances suggest Catholic is investing in sustained growth.
For local high schools and prospective recruits, McCormack’s choice underscores Catholic’s continued pull for MIAA athletes seeking both academics and athletics in a Catholic-college environment. For fans, it signals the program is not only recruiting talent but also attracting players who value a balanced, post-college plan.
What to watch next
Keep an eye on how Catholic integrates incoming recruits into its depth chart and whether the staff continues to target MIAA prospects. The Cardinals’ ability to convert late-season momentum into consistent conference contention will hinge on recruiting classes like this one.
McCormack’s arrival also offers a reminder that for many student-athletes, the deciding factors are rarely just wins and losses. Proximity to career opportunities, academic fit and coach-player rapport can be equally decisive — and in this case, they converged in Washington, D.C., for a player aiming to balance engineering studies with competitive Division III lacrosse.
