Rupp’s Effort Propels South Oldham Past Lexington Catholic
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As the storm clouds cleared above Crestwood, Ky., on Friday night the South Oldham Dragons roared. The home Dragons took down Lexington Catholic 16-9 in a battle between two of the more talented rosters in the Bluegrass. South Oldham struck…
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Continue ReadingAs the storm clouds cleared above Crestwood, Ky., on Friday night the South Oldham Dragons roared. The home Dragons took down Lexington Catholic 16-9 in a battle between two of the more talented rosters in the Bluegrass.
South Oldham struck first and would never trail in the contest. The visiting Knights pulled within 7-6 with 3:02 remaining in the second quarter following a 4-0 run. It was an 8-6 game at the break. The Knights’ comeback, however, would hardly materialize as they couldn’t overcome a massive possession disadvantage with South Oldham junior Owen Rupp Owen Rupp 6'0" | FO South Oldham | 2025 KY dominating the dot all night. When the Knights did get possessions and looks on cage, Andrew D McDowell Andrew D McDowell 6'1" | 190 lbs | G | Right Hand South Oldham | 2024 KY was usually there to make the stop for the Dragons.
The win gives head coach Joe Ritchie and the Dragons their fifth consecutive victory. South Oldham (7-6) has only lost to one Kentucky team all year in Trinity. The Dragons will face two more major challenges with meetings at Carmel (Ind.) and St. Xavier in late April. The Dragons have now won each of their last five meetings with the Knights dating back to 2019.
Lexington Catholic moves to 5-4 on the season with six games remaining in the Knights’ regular season slate. That includes a date with currently unbeaten Woodford County, who upset Lexington’s other traditional power in Henry Clay earlier this season.
Here is a look at five standouts from Friday night’s contest:
It was the Owen Rupp Owen Rupp 6’0″ | FO South Oldham | 2025 KY show at Irvin Stadium on Friday night. The 6-foot, 190-pound junior showed his dominance and proved to be the difference maker in the Dragons’ win over Lexington Catholic. Rupp went 75% at the dot, winning 21 of 28 draws to grant South Oldham a solid possession advantage. He was especially impactful in the second half as he went 9-for-12 in the final two frames. His effort helped the Dragons break open what was a two-goal contest at the half and outscore the opposition 8-3 in the final 30 minutes. Rupp has the stick skills and IQ to stay on the field and be a real offensive threat. Often winning draws to himself, he took one in for a score in the fourth quarter. He assisted on a goal in the third.
Highlights
A long, rangy defender, Estrada is the most impactful pole on the Dragons’ roster. A dual-sport athlete who also plays basketball, he isn’t always the most aggressive on-ball defender but routinely showcases good footwork and knows how to throw timely checks that get the ball on the carpet. He was an immense impact helping to stifle the Lexington Catholic offense all night long. Where Estrada is maybe most impressive is off the ground and in the middle of the field. He gobbles up ground balls and is extremely comfortable turning on the jets and taking it across the midline. He took it to the rack himself twice in the first half on Friday night. That included a score with just six seconds left in the first quarter to make it a 6-2 game.
Highlights
The versatile sophomore was among the leaders on a night when the shots were falling regularly for the Dragons. Rogers ended the night with four goals and one assist for a total of five points. No goal of his came the same as the one before it. It marked his second consecutive four-goal game as his production has really picked up over the past month. Rogers has the skillset to play both the attack and midfield positions. Whether dodging, feeding, or shooting, Rogers can get it done from anywhere on the field. As a dodger, he has the quickness to beat his defenders regularly and get his hands free. He also has some range to his shooting, being able to strike from distance.
Highlights
When the ball was on the ground in the South Oldham offensive zone on Friday night, it was often put there by senior defender Jack Pund Jack Pund 5’10” | D Lexington Catholic | 2024 KY . The Transylvania commit plays with and exhibits a ton of physicality. A solid lockdown defender who knows how to use both his body and his stick to be disruptive on-ball, the Dragons’ offense made a point to try and get matchups away from Pund. The senior isn’t just a good on-ball defender but he is also a great communicator, slides aggressively, and can help jumpstart transition offense when presented with the opportunity. He is a playmaker all over the backend as the heart and soul of the Lexington Catholic defense.
Highlights
Hailing from an athletic family with roots in Eastern Kentucky’s Lawrence County, Perry helps make up a big, strong, and athletic midfield duo alongside junior William Taylor. Having also played football, Perry brings that physicality over to the lacrosse field. He dodges with purpose and can use his body to create space. On Friday night he provided a much needed boost to Knights with back to back goals late in the second quarter that cut the South Oldham lead to one. Both scores came on outside looks where he was able to get his hands free over his defender. Perry had a goal in the first quarter as well, leading him to end the night with a hat trick.