Standouts From Ohio's Championship Saturday

<p>The Ohio High School Division 1 and 2 State Finals unfolded at historic Crew Stadium in Columbus this past Saturday. In Division 1, Olentangy Liberty celebrated a historic first-ever championship win as it valiantly defeated St. Xavier with a close score of 15-14. Meanwhile, in Division 2, St. Francis DeSales (Columbus) showcased its dominance by securing its fourth championship title, outplaying St. John's Jesuit with a convincing 15-4 victory. Below is a breakdown of the teams and the exceptional players who made their mark in these matches.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Olentangy Liberty</h2>   <p>Liberty won its first State Title in a back-and-forth affair against St. Xavier, a team it played just before the playoffs. The Patriots persevered through momentum swings and utilized key contributors like [player_tooltip player_id='23545' first='Jake' last='Struck'] and Luca Minniti to maintain offensive momentum. This team brought the energy it needed to beat the high-flying Bombers.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Ohio's Player of the Year had no problem maneuvering around defenders and slides in this game. Struck showed an uncanny ability to identify and exploit open space on the field. His significant impact was evident in the team's offensive play, where his dynamic movement off ball caused considerable disruption for St. Xavier and his range of shooting was impressive. He had four goals and two assists in the first half alone.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Godwin performed consistently well throughout the game, successfully deflecting shots from various areas of the field and at different angles. In particular, he excelled within 10 yards, making some impressive reaction saves on bounce shots and open step-downs. Additionally, he made some crucial saves in the fourth quarter, highlighted by one in the final 30 seconds that was going low and away. Godwin tallied at least 15 saves in the game.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Minniti quickly identifies his target in close range, taking advantage of the goalie's positioning. He is a clever and nimble dodger who keeps his eyes up, making a fantastic play in transition late in the second quarter because of these skills. He scored throughout the entire game.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">The faceoff was crucial, with a total of 33 taking place. Fitzpatrick was Fitzmagic, securing many of the initial clamps when he was on the field. The First Team All-State specialist used his speed and toughness to fight for ground balls and even managed to score a goal off of one in the first quarter.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. Francis Desales</h2>   <p>In a remarkable display of skill and determination, the Stallions clinched a resounding victory over St. John's Jesuit in the Division 2 State Championship. They were able to control the ball on offense for a majority of the game, picking apart the Titan's zone defense. Ty Hampton and Jacksonville bound Blake Carawan were just two of their teams key offensive contributors.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Hampton put up big numbers in this game, tallying at least seven points for the Stallions. He was a matchup problem on the wing, showing off his tempo and sight, he buried the rock off of passes and dodges. Shooting well in traffic, the attackman has a quick release on his shots and passes. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Carawan also put up numbers in the game, scoring at least six points. He was exceptional dodging and maneuvering with the ball all afternoon. He also showcased his excellent vision, making some excellent passes, throwing a behind the back assist just before the half. His ability to score from anywhere on the field and fearlessness in contact situations made him a formidable player to defend.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Lee is a highly skilled and athletic lacrosse player who excels at matching the speed and feet of his opponents. Playing with a lot of energy, he was masterful in throwing checks during the game, causing a number of turnovers and ground balls. Lee really stood out for his hustle plays - keep an eye on this talented young defender.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. Xavier</h2>   <p>St. Xavier had a strong performance that cannot be understated, showing perseverance and determination by overcoming an early 8-4 deficit to tie the score at 9-9 by halftime. The rest of the game was a close battle. The Bombers are loaded with 2025 talent and we could likely see them here next season.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">When Hocker was open within 15 yards, it was almost always a goal. He has so many ways to make a defense pay. His shots fit in tight windows, in spaces where goalies struggle. He identifies the defenders' positioning before making his move and knows exactly who is sliding and from where. He notices when defenders shift their weight and uses it to his advantage, demonstrated on a few occasions. Hocker ended the game with six goals and two assists.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Bennett is a formidable midfielder who shines in utilizing his imposing physicality and size to dominate the top-side space with dodges and sweeps. He possesses a formidable shot while on the run, displaying precision and power with pinpoint accuracy.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">St. John's Jesuit</h2>   <p>St. John's Jesuit demonstrated resilience and grit in their challenging match against St. Francis DeSales. Throughout their journey, they participated in several closely contested, low-scoring games, ultimately fighting their way to the final.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Bowers is a defender to keep an eye on. He is explosive when getting to his man, breaks down quickly, and has a solid fundamental stance. He leads with a strong poke check to initiate contact, doesn't over reach. He was a defensive presence with how active he was for his team, big communicator.</p>

The Ohio High School Division 1 and 2 State Finals unfolded at historic Crew Stadium in Columbus this past Saturday. In Division 1, Olentangy Liberty celebrated a historic first-ever championship win as it valiantly defeated St. Xavier with a close score of 15-14. Meanwhile, in Division 2, St. Francis DeSales (Columbus) showcased its dominance by securing its fourth championship title, outplaying St. John's Jesuit with a convincing 15-4 victory. Below is a breakdown of the teams and the exceptional players who made their mark in these matches.