Liberty, Upper Arlington to play for state title
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Olentangy Liberty’s Corinna Hilmas rushes toward the goal in the Patriots’ 17-5 Division I state semifinal win against the Hudson Explorers at Ashland University May 30. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Like a tidal wave, the Olentangy Liberty girls lacrosse team used a 14-goal rally to roll over Hudson 17-5 in a Division I state semifinal on May 30 at Ashland University’s Jack Miller Stadium.
The Patriots, who are making the program’s first appearance in the state tournament, play Upper Arlington for a state championship on June 3 at Historic Crew Stadium.
Liberty senior midfielder Makena Harrington’s goal with 15 minutes, 45 seconds remaining broke a 1-all tie and started a stretch of six goals in a span of four and a half minutes.
The Patriots scored the last 12 goals of the first half.
“We knew from the start of the season that we were going to be good, but I don’t think we realized how good we were going to be,” said Liberty junior midfielder Isabelle Pohmer, who had two goals and an assist over that stretch. “It’s surreal for us because we made it to the championship game. We have a very real chance to win on Saturday.”
The Patriots (21-2) lost to the Bears 14-12 on April 6 in OCC-Central Division play, which was the second consecutive defeat. Liberty fell to Bradenton (Florida) IMG Academy 10-9 on March 28 in the last of three games in Florida.
The trip proved to be a turning point for the Patriots, who beat Lutz (Florida) George Steinbrenner 13-5 on March 25 and Sarasota (Florida) Out of Door Academy 24-4 on March 27.
“We only had two games before that,” senior attacker Lexi Bird said. “We played some really tough games, which gave us a lot of confidence. We came back and played UA … and that showed us that we’re good, but we have more work to do.”
The win over the Explorers (19-4) is Liberty’s 17th consecutive.
The trip proved to be a turning point for Liberty coach Tim Bosco as well.
Olentangy Liberty’s Makena Harrington battles on the face-off with Hudson’s Mackie Stickler during the Patriots’ Division I state semifinal win at Ashland University May 30. Photo: Kevin Rouch
“I figured out how to be a better coach when I coached against IMG,” he said. “Just learning how they can play in certain situations. Their struggle was probably my struggle. I think we were up 9-6 (in the second half). How patient should we be (or) how aggressive should we be? I think we just learned from that and that came out in a lot of games this year.”
Against Hudson, five players scored three goals or more to lead the Patriots, including Pohmer, who finished with four goals, two assists and led the team with eight draw controls.
“We really just stepped on the gas,” said Bird, who had three goals and three assists for Liberty. “Once we start going, it’s hard to stop. When we get our confidence going and our momentum going, we’re really, really good.”
Makena Harrington, Corinna Hilmas and Brenna Heffernan each had three goals and two assists for the Patriots.
The last 5:45 of the first half and the entire second half were played with a running clock.
Much of the scoring came in the middle of Hudson’s zone defense.
“The defense they play keeps the middle really open,” Pohmer said. “We knew that coming in – we studied that. We moved the ball quickly and hit the person in the middle for some easy goals.”
Mackie Stickler, who’s goal with 17:59 remaining in the first half to tie the game at 1, led the Explorers with three goals and an assist.
“It’s crazy to think we’re going to be (playing for a state title),” Bosco said.
Upper Arlington’s Lilly Boyle eyes the goal against Cincinnati Sycamore during the Golden Bears’ 13-7 Division I state semifinal win May 30 at Wittenberg University. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Upper Arlington 13, Cincinnati Sycamore 7
Lilly Boyle scored three goals in a five-goal run to open the game and Upper Arlington cruised to the state championship game in Division I.
Boyle and Kampbell Stone each had four goals and an assist to lead the Golden Bears, who will try to win the program’s 11th state championship overall on Saturday.
UA, which is making its fifth appearance in the state tournament since it was sanctioned by the OHSAA before the 2017 season, seeks its first state title since 2019 – the last of five consecutive.
Paige Brewer and Brennan Campbell had two goals apiece, Lilly Stelzer had a goal and an assist, and Liz Schumacher had two assists to lead the Bears (20-3).
Laney Simons had four goals and Carly Thiel added two for the Aviators (19-4), who also made their fifth appearance in the state tournament since OHSAA sanctioning.