When: Saturday, June 2 at 7 pm
Where: Selby Stadium at Ohio Wesleyan University
Parking: Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the parking lots south of Selby Stadium, including one lot adjacent to the stadium and three more lots south of the stadium on Henry Street, serving the OWU Science Center, Branch Rickey Arena, the tennis courts and the aquatic center.
Broadcast Info: ignatiuswildcats.com/sibn-live
Follow on Twitter: @SIHSSports / @SIHSLacrosse
The Rematch. The Battle of the Alma Mater. Jesuit Bowl III.
The 2018 OHSAA Division I Lacrosse State Championship.
A lengthy, shared quest has led the Saint Ignatius Wildcats and St. Xavier Bombers to an epic battle in a familiar arena – Selby Stadium at Ohio Wesleyan University.
The paths for the Wildcats and the Bombers to this point are very different. St. Xavier has utilized a senior-laden squad that saw its season cut short early in 2017. For Saint Ignatius, in a way, the journey to the 2018 championship game began way back on June 3, 2017. Devastated by a heartbreaking, double-overtime loss to Archbishop Moeller at Selby Stadium, the Wildcats vowed to work hard in the offseason to prevent such a fate in the next year.
The Wildcats have experienced a youth movement, with many sophomores stepping into the limelight, such as goalie Charlie Minerd, attacker Merick Hartley, and midfielder Connor Cmiel. But plenty of veteran pieces remain. Senior defender Connor Sims. Senior middie Chris Larsen. Senior attacker Kyle Katigbak. Jeff Outcalt, Max Maruna, Ian Flynn, and many other leaders returned this year, deadset on the first state championship in program history.
This season has been an enjoyable, but often grueling, voyage for the Lax Cats. Highlights have included a remarkable dominance of Northeast Ohio competition, a fun trip to Southern California, and breaking offensive records. Lowlights have included one-goal losses to Upper Arlington, Torrey Pines, and St. Xavier (twice).
In some ways, the battles with the Bombers epitomize the program's quest for its first state championship. The Wildcats have knocked on the door and pounded furiously. But the team has not created its lucky break and forced its way past the door to glory.
The Wildcats will need to work hard and make their own luck against a stacked St. Xavier team. With 23 seniors on the roster, the Bombers have experience and loads of talent. Attacker Duke Alf, middie Jack Kilfoil, and FOGOs Donny Stock and Charlie Williams lead a St. Xavier squad that passes the ball well and can score at will. St. Xavier has not played a game within 10 goals since beating Moeller for the Midwest title on May 12.
In fact, the Bombers' last one-goal game came against the Wildcats on May 11. St. Xavier has outscored its foes by an average score of 18.6-4.4.
However, the Wildcats cannot be intimidated. The Lax Cats are awash with talent, with 6 players committed to compete in college, along with young all-stars such as Michael Boehm, Hartley, Minerd, and Blade Cintron. The Lax Cats set a school single-season record for goals and have copious amounts of skill and speed.
The game will be decided in large part at the faceoff circle and by groundballs. The Wildcats will need to control possession and clear the ball effectively to win on Saturday. If the team builds a lead, holding onto the ball and killing time effectively will be critical. If the Cats face a zone, the midfielders will need to score to open space for Hartley and Boehm to work.
And, in the end, it will come down to which team works just a litte harder and which team makes it own luck.
Hopefully the third time is the charm for the Lax Cats.