Eight straight trips to state for St. Xavier lacrosse
· Yahoo Sports
After an up-and-down regular season, the Moeller High School lacrosse team got hot at the right time to make a serious statement in the postseason.
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After obliterating No. 3 Loveland, 20-3, and using its physicality to upset No. 2 Milford, 10-8, the Crusaders were champing at the bit for a rematch with Greater Catholic League-South rival St. Xavier. It seemed a revenge narrative was taking shape, with a must-see regional final setting the perfect stage.
The Bombers, however, had no interest in such storylines. St. Xavier dominated from end to end, winning the Ohio High School Athletic Association boys lacrosse regional championship, 18-5.
From the opening face-off, St. Xavier played with a fire that can only be unlocked against a bitter rival. They wasted no time with pleasantries as junior Ethan Cole ripped the first goal of the game in just 25 seconds. Then Spencer Stegbauer, August Betz, Ryder Munz and D.J. Frazier decided to take an opening jab and turn it into a knockout blow before the first break. By the end of the first quarter, the Bombers had already pulled away from the Crusaders to lead 8-0.
If there was any doubt still mistakenly being directed at St. Xavier in its quest for a repeat state championship, that should have evaporated in the game's first 90 seconds.
St. Xavier head coach Nate Sprong said the hot start was no accident.
"(Our gameplan was) just play fast, have fun, keep the pressure on," Sprong said. "Just come out on fire and win ground balls and push transition."
When it was all said and done, seven different Bombers found the back of the net as the St. Xavier defense kept pushing the ball out quickly. D.J. Frazier led with four goals in an eventual 18-5 win.
As high-flying as the Bombers' offense was, the defense was just as stellar. Led by Region 4 Player of the Year Rowdy Scheer, St. X hounded ball carriers all night and showed themselves to be the more physical unit.
With the regional final win, St. Xavier marks its eighth consecutive trip to the OHSAA state tournament. The defending champions are many things, but Sprong doesn't want it to be called a run.
"Each year is different," Sprong said. "The guys in previous years set a standard that we try to live up to, but every team is different."
Even so, Scheer said the tradition and legacy of success was something special that he hoped to continue.
"I've been very blessed to be a part of it for a few years in a row," Scheer said. "We're just gonna go after it and play some St. X lacrosse."
Though their season comes to an end in the regional finals, Moeller put together an incredible run to end the season as runners-up. Head coach Stefan Schroder said the Crusaders put in a lot of work to reach this stage.
"Through the middle of the season, we had a reflecting period or heart-to-heart with the guys," Schroder said. "We've prided ourselves these last four weeks on competing and getting better and growing as a team."
Knocking off Loveland and Milford in postseason play will certainly give the Crusaders something to hang their hat on. They graduate nine seniors from this year's roster: Jacob Grote, Samuel Willis, Grant Emery, Asher Compton, Victor Marshall, Trent Konys, Brady Newlin, Brayden Emerson and Nolan Kittle.
The victorious bombers now prepare for a showdown with Upper Arlington in the state semifinals Wednesday, June 3. Sprong believes his team's experience should help carry the day.
"We've got experience in tight situations, big games, and I think that helps a lot at this point of the year."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: St. Xavier lacrosse wins OHSAA regional championship