HIGH SCHOOL-OHIO

St. Xavier lacrosse falls in state semifinals

Tom Skeen
tskeen@communitypress.com
St. Xavier senior Jack Caudill (2) gets past a Dublin Jerome defender and scores a goal in the first quarter of their Division I lacrosse state semifinal game at Hilliard Bradley High School.

In search of its first Division I state title in school history, St. Xavier lost to Dublin Jerome 3-2 in the Division I Ohio High School Lacrosse Association state semifinals at Hilliard Bradley.

Jerome senior Shawn Ewert scored the eventual game-winner with 3:47 remaining in the third quarter.

The Bombers unofficially hit the post five times, one coming in the final minute of the game, and couldn't get around the spectacular play of Celtics goalkeeper Chase Rose, who unofficially recorded 10 saves.

"The guys played their hearts out," St. Xavier coach Nate Sprong said after the game. "It's a tough way to go down, but we went down fighting. I couldn't be more proud of the guys. St. Xavier lacrosse is a class act. Sometimes it doesn't go your way."

Dublin Jerome advances to play either Upper Arlington or Hudson June 7 in the state final at Olentangy Liberty High School.

St. Xavier sophomore Griffin Buczek passes to a teammate in the first quarter of the Bombers Division I state semifinal game against Dublin Jerome.

The Celtics opened the scoring just 1:52 into the first quarter on a Skyler Blake goal. Jack Caudill answered for the Bombers less than two minutes later, tying the score at one with 8:32 left in the opening quarter.

Jerome took a 2-1 lead into the half, before William Holcomb scored for the Bombers at the 5:52 mark of the third quarter.

Dublin Jerome 3, St. Xavier 2

Goals: DJ (17-4) – Blake, Comfort, Ewert; X (16-7) – Caudill, Holcomb.