Girls Lacrosse: Upper Arlington stands tall against Worthington Kilbourne
Thursday, May 30, 2024
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Upper Arlington goalie Tori Maurer positions herself to make a save during the Golden Bears’ regional final win over Worthington Kilbourne at UA May 30. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Tori Maurer felt a sense of confidence looking across the field at Upper Arlington at one of the best goalies in the state. The moment was not too big for the Golden Bears freshman.
Maurer anchored a defensive performance by the host Golden Bears that left Worthington Kilbourne searching for answers most of the night on its way to a 13-7 victory to capture a Division I, Region 3 championship on May 30.
“I think it motivates me to step up because I want to match her,” said Maurer, who had seven saves, while Wolves goalie Marissa Dolciato had nine. “I think I just feel more confident when I see her in goal. I don’t know … there’s just something about it.”
UA (20-2) plays Kings Mills Kings in a state semifinal June 4 at Wittenberg’s Edwards-Maurer Field. The Bears are in the state tournament for the 21st time, including six under the OHSAA umbrella. Conversely, the Knights won their first regional title.
Kilbourne struck quickly when Reagan Wilkinson found Kayleigh Kennedy for a goal with 11 minutes, 4 seconds remaining.
But a pair of Lilly Boyle free-position goals sandwiched around a goal by Mary Kate Basil had the top-seeded Bears in control.
The Wolves (16-6), seeded second, won four of the first five draw controls but couldn’t take advantage.
Upper Arlington’s Lilly Boyle shoots one past the Worthington Kilbourne defense during the Golden Bears’ regional title win at UA May 30. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Boyle scored four of her six goals in a 6-0 run in the first half that put UA in front for good.
“We know when we go up against a good goalie like Marissa … you need to fake high and shoot low or we need to place those shots,” said Boyle, who also had an assist. “We have to capitalize on every opportunity in front of the goal.”
Mary Kate Basil added four goals and Ellie King had a goal and an assist. King led UA to an 18-7 advantage in draws.
“Our defense is just an experienced, gritty group led by our senior Alex Burns,” said UA coach Laura Sandbloom, whose team defeated Kilbourne 12-10 in a non-league contest on May 7. “We’re a fast athletic team overall but especially on defense. Our assistant coach Sue Stimmel teaches the fundamentals of defense and that’s been baked into the program as a part of our culture. It’s not always perfect, but we adjust. I’m proud of the continued dedication to playing quality defense.”
Kilbourne needed a five-goal comeback to defeat rival Thomas Worthington in a regional semifinal. There was no such magic this time.
Worthington Kilbourne head coach Doug Troutner ended his run as the most tenured coach in the state, stepping down after the Wolves’ game at Upper Arlington May 30. Photo: Kevin Rouch
The Wolves scored three goals midway through the fourth period to cut into an eight-goal deficit. Bella White started the rally with a free position goal with 8:30 remaining.
Kilbourne had missed out on its previous five 8-meter chances as well as a pair of opportunities with a player advantage.
“With a team like Upper Arlington that’s just so good, you can’t miss those opportunities,” Kilbourne coach Doug Troutner said. “Any opportunities you have, you’ve got to be able to take it. There were things we were hoping to be able to do that we didn’t completely embrace until that fourth quarter. By then, we gave them a little too much of a head start.”
The game marks the end of the most tenured coach in the state in Troutner, who has headed the Wolves since the beginning in 1992 after coaching at Worthington for two seasons.
Olentangy Liberty ended New Albany’s undefeated season with a 10-9 victory to win a Division I, Region 1 championship. The Patriots, making their second consecutive appearance at state, meet Hudson in the other state semifinal June 4 at Ashland in a rematch from last year where Liberty won 17-5.
The state final is June 7 at Historic Crew Stadium.
Troutner led the Wolves to their only state championship in Division II in 2014 when it was led by the OSLA.
“I love putting things together and helping people become better than they used to be,” he said. “Seeing that working together as a team they can accomplish a lot more than they can as individuals.”
Upper Arlington celebrates its regional championship win over Worthington Kilbourne May 30 at the Marv. Photo: Kevin Rouch