Ohio’s Week One: Previewing Key Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the opening weekend for many lacrosse teams in the Buckeye State, and we're previewing some important matchups and key players to watch from around the state. On Friday, there's a heavyweight showdown between Hilliard Davidson and North Canton Hoover. Then, on Saturday, we'll see Olentangy Liberty go head-to-head with Archbishop Moeller in another thrilling contest. Welcome to the 2025 season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hilliard Davidson vs. North Canton Hoover</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hilliard Davidson will be hosting Canton Hoover on Friday night. Both teams are returning talented players on both sides of the ball, making this an exciting early-season matchup. The Hoover offense is led by attackmen [player_tooltip player_id='35601' first='Aidan' last='Kavanagh'] and [player_tooltip player_id='35599' first='Cole' last='Rembielak'] (Mercyhurst) a duo with a lot of finesse. [player_tooltip player_id='38138' first='Jake' last='Rembielak'] (Mercyhurst) will be headlining the midfield with faceoff specialist [player_tooltip player_id='125865' first='TJ' last='Walker']. They also have one of the state's best LSM's in [player_tooltip player_id='35597' first='Bryce' last='Roach'] (Utah) who can make plays all over the field. Hilliard Davidson also boasts a strong returning senior class, and they are ready to make an impact this season. Goaltender [player_tooltip player_id='21910' first='Vance' last='Ames'] (Alabama Huntsville) and defender [player_tooltip player_id='124634' first='Peter' last='Aronshteyn'] (Alabama Huntsville) will be instrumental on the defensive end. Midfielder's [player_tooltip player_id='113653' first='Carson' last='Henning'] and [player_tooltip player_id='126243' first='Job' last='Hickey'] will be big threats on offense that can really open up the field, while [player_tooltip player_id='123396' first='Noah' last='Roche'] will be scrapping it up at the faceoff X.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wooster vs. Highland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Friday night matchup that features two strong teams from Division 2 Region 5. Last year, Wooster edged out Highland in a closely contested game 10-7. I anticipate this game will be just as competitive. Wooster enters this match with talented players across the field, highlighted on offense by studs [player_tooltip player_id='37815' first='Liam' last='Harwood'] (Lewis) and [player_tooltip player_id='120469' first='Grady' last='Hahn']. SSDM [player_tooltip player_id='125845' first='Charlie' last='Williams'] (John Carrol), goaltender [player_tooltip player_id='57651' first='Liam' last='Ozar'], and defender [player_tooltip player_id='54483' first='Jake' last='Haas'] will be running a solid Wooster defense that really makes their opponent work. Highland is returning talent as well, and will give Wooster plenty of fits. [player_tooltip player_id='126175' first='Luke' last='Berkmeyer'] (Newberry) and [player_tooltip player_id='126176' first='Dillon' last='Buran'] (Mars Hill) are multidimensional offensive playmakers that have a nose for the goal. Goaltender [player_tooltip player_id='126177' first='Mathew' last='Steinmetz'] (Otterbein) will be backstopping the defense, faceoff Specialist [player_tooltip player_id='126174' first='Aidan' last='Wiseman'] (Otterbein) will be in a battle at the X.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lakota East vs. Loveland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A southern region showdown, Loveland will be travelling to liberty township to faceoff against Lakota East on Friday. These teams matchup well with each other, the last two seasons have seen them play some close games. The Loveland offense is led by the flashy [player_tooltip player_id='126210' first='Lincoln' last='Boldizsar'] (Siena) and attacker [player_tooltip player_id='120481' first='Adam' last='King']. 2027 defenseman [player_tooltip player_id='126211' first='Kyle' last='Harden'] and goaltender [player_tooltip player_id='121576' first='Will' last='Weikert'] will be pivotal on the defensive end. Lakota East has a talented lineup as well. The speedy [player_tooltip player_id='37812' first='Nick' last='Tserng'] will be tough to guard on the offensive end, as well as midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='126212' first='Jackson' last='Uhl']. Defender [player_tooltip player_id='126213' first='Dylan' last='Davidson'] (walsh) and goalie [player_tooltip player_id='126214' first='Max' last='Wilcox'] are anchoring the Thunderhawk defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Strongsville vs. Avon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams just outside of Cleveland are meeting up for an early season slugfest. Avon will be traveling to take on Strongsville, a team they narrowly beat in 2024. The Avon offense is returning most of their firepower from a year ago, it could be the difference in this contest. That offense is led by midfielder players [player_tooltip player_id='38133' first='Logan' last='Conley'] (Saint Michaels) and [player_tooltip player_id='126221' first='Finley' last='Jerdonek'], as well as attacker [player_tooltip player_id='52810' first='Jackson' last='Brokaw']. LSM [player_tooltip player_id='126222' first='Dylan' last='Luker'] will be a key defensive presence. Strongsville has a lot of young talent on their roster and will be hungry to win this game. Defender [player_tooltip player_id='126223' first='Will' last='Dasher'] will look to lead the defense with LSM [player_tooltip player_id='126224' first='Kyle' last='Puma']. Speedy Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='126225' first='Finn' last='Royer'] is a name to watch for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dublin Jerome vs. Milford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milford will be visiting Dublin Jerome, a team that beat them 18-8 in 2024's opening game. Three of Jerome's five losses last season were by a goal, and this year, the program returns a lot of contributors from last spring. [player_tooltip player_id='23546' first='Gavin' last='Dean'] (Tampa), [player_tooltip player_id='124077' first='Darren' last='Seikel'], and [player_tooltip player_id='35510' first='Davis' last='Pyser'] (Lewis) are just a few of the offensive weapons Jerome has in stock. Defensive players [player_tooltip player_id='120124' first='Deangelo' last='Nardone'] (Providence) and [player_tooltip player_id='124078' first='Max' last='Michels'] (DuPage) are two of the best long-stick players in the state. Goalkeeper [player_tooltip player_id='121587' first='Matthew' last='Esguerra'] will look to add to his resume and build off of a strong freshman season. Milford finished out last season winning some close games against some tough southern competition and will return some key starters of their own. Attackmen [player_tooltip player_id='126249' first='Aiden' last='Sexton'] (Ohio Northern) and [player_tooltip player_id='126250' first='Tyler' last='Allard'] will be key finishers, Midfielders [player_tooltip player_id='123389' first='Carter' last='Haun'] and [player_tooltip player_id='126251' first='Wade' last='Rotunna'] are going to be important role players. Goaltender [player_tooltip player_id='40947' first='Trey' last='Wagner'] is solid in cage and has nice reflexes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Olentangy Liberty vs. Archbishop Moeller</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning state champions, Olentangy Liberty, will be hosting Cincinnati's Archbishop Moeller. This is my top matchup of the weekend. Both teams feature exciting players on both sides of the ball and have a lot of returning talent. Moeller will need to overcome a strong Patriot defense, lead by one of the state's top goaltenders in [player_tooltip player_id='33273' first='Ben' last='Godwin'] (Robert Morris) supported by lock-down defender [player_tooltip player_id='28337' first='Austin' last='Stamp'] (Mercyhurst). Face-Off Specialist [player_tooltip player_id='37811' first='Luke' last='Mulder'] (Bellarmine) will be key to retaining the ball for the patriots, and you cannot forget about Midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='23545' first='Jake' last='Struck'] (Ohio State) a one man wrecking crew. Moeller is also deep this year and they have the skill to win this game. [player_tooltip player_id='126180' first='Jake' last='Grote'] and [player_tooltip player_id='125647' first='Hunter' last='Hemphill'] (Maryville) add speed and tenacity to the Crusader midfield. Defenseman [player_tooltip player_id='126181' first='Nolan' last='Kittle'] and LSM [player_tooltip player_id='81155' first='Simon' last='Klaber'] are highly skilled and names to know. This will be an exciting matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pickerington North vs. Centerville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Centerville will be looking to start their season on the right foot when they visit Pickerington North this Saturday. Last year, Centerville decisively won this regional matchup, so North has a lot to prove in this game. Centerville enters the game with one of the state's top offensive playmakers in [player_tooltip player_id='37822' first='JP' last='Mercer'] (Albany) who is joined by midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='123398' first='Ryan' last='Swanson']. The Elk defense is just as talented, anchored by defender [player_tooltip player_id='126187' first='Brady' last='Stephan'] (Mercyhurst) and LSM [player_tooltip player_id='37825' first='Landon' last='Mercado']. Faceoff specialist [player_tooltip player_id='124505' first='Gavin' last='Dalton'] (Lewis) will be a key player this year as well. Pickerington North will be headlined on offense by attackmen [player_tooltip player_id='25453' first='Jess' last='Lipp'] (Capital) and [player_tooltip player_id='25459' first='Will' last='Kovarik'] (Muskingum), joined by ambidextrous midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='123385' first='Ethan' last='Zananiri']. The Panther defense is led by SSDM [player_tooltip player_id='126183' first='Konnor' last='Koch'] and close defenseman [player_tooltip player_id='35535' first='Zack' last='Kovarik'] (Muskingum).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Delaware Hayes vs. Hilliard Darby</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a meeting between two teams with a lot of offensive firepower. Darby has the advantage when it comes to experience, while Hayes boasts a wealth of young talent paired with solid senior leadership. This should be a good one. Darby is led on offense by an all-arounder at midfield in [player_tooltip player_id='35702' first='Landon' last='Whalen'] (Cleveland State) and attacker [player_tooltip player_id='35633' first='Grant' last='House'] (Lincoln Memorial). LSM [player_tooltip player_id='126215' first='Will' last='Brennan'] (Baldwin Wallace) and close defender [player_tooltip player_id='126248' first='Evan' last='Rex'] (Mount Union) are ready to be tested on defense. Delaware Hayes is led on offense by a skilled 2027 lefty [player_tooltip player_id='124627' first='Brenden' last='VanTilburg'] and midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='62862' first='Kaiden' last='Haag']. The defense is bolstered by 2027's [player_tooltip player_id='126219' first='Kelton' last='Pulfer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='124503' first='Xander' last='Donaldson'] who play fast and with tenacity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->