Field hockey: Overmyer, Bunker help Upper Arlington to first state title
Saturday, November 7, 2026
By Michael Rich
mrichnotwealthy@gmail.com
Members of the Upper Arlington field hockey team celebrate their OHSAA state title win over Columbus Academy in Worthington on Saturday. Photo: John Hulkenberg
WORTHINGTON – Sloane Bunker was no worse for wear after taking a couple of shots off her shins on back-to-back plays. She did have a new appreciation for athletic equipment, however.
The junior midfielder took more than one for the Upper Arlington field hockey team in its 3-1 victory over Columbus Academy in the state final on Nov. 7 at Thomas Worthington’s Hamilton Field.
Bunker got in front of two Katie Neviaser shot attempts with her right shin on consecutive plays during a sequence of four Academy penalty corner attempts.
It helped the Golden Bears hold off a furious rally on their way to their first state championship.
“That was my third time in the last 72 hours,” said Bunker, who also took one off her left shin in the Bears’ 3-0 state semifinal win over Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame on Nov. 5. “The shin guards protect us, so I’m O.K.”
She doubled over in pain and had a limp in the immediate aftermath of the shots. But the pain subsided in the celebration.
“We definitely had our ups and downs throughout the season,” Bunker said. “I feel like – at the end – we just brought it all together. Everything started working like a machine and we got it done.”
UA (17-5-1) finally reached the pinnacle after reaching the state tournament three consecutive years, including a runner-up finish last season.
The program had not reached the state tournament since 1990 prior to this run.
Upper Arlington’s Sloane Bunker (right) battles with Columbus Academy’s Sophia Smoot during the Golden Bears’ state title win at Thomas Worthington High School on Saturday. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Senior forward Caroline Overmyer had a goal and an assist to lead the Bears.
Overmyer tapped in Emerson Dunlap’s shot, which deflected off Academy goalie Lila Parish, with 1:23 remaining in the first quarter to put UA up 2-0 , accounting for the game-winning goal.
Charlie Rogers deflected Overmyer’s backhand shot into the goal at the 8:35 mark of the first period to give UA the lead.
Bunker’s defensive efforts along with goalie Peyton Harvey’s two saves helped the lead stand up.
“It meant a lot for us to get those goals and find that composure on the field,” Overmyer said. “Whereas last year, we kind of lost it in the middle of the game and we weren’t able to capitalize like we did today.”
The road was not easy for UA, which lost to Thomas 3-1 in last year’s final. The Bears had a string of three losses in four games coming into the tournament.
They responded by shutting out the field with five consecutive wins, allowing no goals, coming into the final.
That streak ended when Academy’s Charlotte Kurtz scored on a deflection of an Ashley Harmon shot with 5:05 remaining in the third period.
Emmy Archer’s redirect to Anya Haney with 12:16 left accounted for the final margin for UA.
But first-time champions got there by ending the Cardinals streak of four consecutive titles with a 1-0 victory in the regional final and by beating Academy, the state’s most decorated program with 12 state championships.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Overmyer said with the championship trophy and her stick resting in her arms. “Since my freshman year, we’ve made it a step further each time.”
Upper Arlington’s Caroline Overmyer (8) celebrates with her teammates after scoring a goal against Columbus Academy in the OHSAA state tournament final Saturday. Photo: John Hulkenberg
“This season had a lot of ups and downs for us. During the postseason we played a lot of the teams that we lost to during the season and just get some revenge, I guess. So, making it this far and being able to capitalize on our scoring opportunities … it was a really big deal for us.”
It was the fifth time in six seasons two Columbus-area programs played in the state final. Thomas won three of those matches after losing to Watterson in 2021.
“I think, normally, we tend to associate (nerves) with a bad connotation – and we shouldn’t,” UA first-year coach Homero Pardi said. “Being nervous just means that we care. It’s your body telling you, ‘I’m getting ready for what’s coming.’
“The message I tried to relay to (my team) to use those nerves and all that energy they’re producing inside you and perform at the best of your capabilities.”
That’s what UA did.
Academy did not go quietly, though. The Vikings (18-3-1) outshot the Bears 11-7, including 6-1 in the second half and had eight penalty corner opportunities for the game.
Noviaser had five shots but couldn’t find the back of the cage. She scored 14 goals and had 22 assists to lead Academy this season.
The Vikings were on a 12-game winning streak entering the state final. Their last loss came at the hands of UA, which won 3-1 on Sept. 16.
Despite all the gold, Academy hadn’t reached the state tournament since 2020 and hadn’t been in a final since it won its last title in 2019.
“This program is a storied program. So, knowing that and knowing the people we want to make proud and knowing the legacy that’s been left here … we carry them,” Vikings coach Jacque DeMarco said as tears began slowly falling down her face.
“(We) stand on their shoulders. I’ve been telling (our players) this whole time there’s a legacy here. We wanted to make them proud.
“Our community showed up and showed out for us. It’s just really something that I think that, when they walk away from it, they’ll look back and cherish it and know that Columbus Academy is a special place.”
Upper Arlington goalkeeper Peyton Garvey prepares to make a save against Columbus Academy during the Golden Bears’ state title victory Saturday in Worthington. Photo: John Hulkenberg