St. Xavier boys lacrosse’s Johnnie Guttman recaps state semifinal win
St. Xavier boys lacrosse player Johnnie Guttman recaps an 11-6 win over Worthington Kilbourne in a Division I state semifinal June 4 at Wittenberg.
A pair of Cincinnati teams attempted to punch their tickets to Ohio High School Athletic Association lacrosse state championship games Wednesday night.
In Division II girls action, the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Eagles took on Columbus DeSales in CHCA’s first-ever OHSAA state tournament lacrosse game. In the Division I boys side, St. Xavier took on Worthington Kilbourne, with the Bombers looking to punch a ticket to the state championship game for the third straight season.
Here is a recap of all the action from Wednesday night:
St. Xavier in state final for third straight year
SPRINGFIELD — A landmark night for one team in a Division I state semifinal ended in a usual result for the other.
Locked in a 1-1 stalemate that largely was dominated by Kilbourne at the outset, St. Xavier used its athleticism and depth to blitz the Wolves for four goals in less than two minutes at the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second to take control at Wittenberg and clinch their third consecutive state final berth.
“They were trying to slow the tempo and we were trying to speed the game up a little bit,” St. Xavier head coach Nate Sprong said. “… Our guys adapted and finished the game well.”
Johnnie Guttman’s four goals and an assist paced St. Xavier (18-2), which will meet Cleveland St. Ignatius in the final at 1 p.m. June 8 at Historic Crew Stadium.
“Just a big time moment for us,” Guttman said. “But we gotta keep going.”
St. Ignatius routed Dublin Jerome 17-8 in the other semifinal at Ashland after the Celtics (16-7), making their fourth state tournament appearance in five seasons, took an early 3-1 lead.
Drew Williamson added two goals and Trent Yelton made 12 saves for the Bombers.
St. Xavier is in its third consecutive final and seventh state tournament in a row despite the loss of Ohio State signee Khalif Hocker to a knee injury during an April 23 game against Olentangy Liberty, last year’s Division I state champion.
“We’re pretty athletic and that’s the way lacrosse should be played,” Sprong said. “We try to get out and push it. Any time you have an odd-numbered situation in transition, we’re looking to go to the goal.”
St. Xavier seniors have lost in heartbreaking fashion in the state playoffs in each of their three years in high school. On Sunday, the Bombers will have a chance to exorcise those demons.
— Dave Purpura
Columbus DeSales spoils CHCA girls lacrosse’s first state appearance
KETTERING — The Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Eagles earned their first-ever OHSAA state tournament appearance last week with a win over Indian Hill in the regional championship. On Wednesday, the Eagles’ season ended with a 16-9 loss to Columbus DeSales in a state semifinal matchup.
Columbus DeSales opened Wednesday night’s girls Division II state semifinal game with five unanswered goals. Junior Anna Brogan scored twice in the games first three minutes, and then three more DeSales players scored before CHCA found the net.
“We haven’t dealt with that much this season,” CHCA head coach Sam Mlkvy said after the game. “We only had one loss coming into this game. Those five unanswered goals killed us.
CHCA staged a strong comeback attempt after that, scoring three unanswered goals of their own just before halftime to cut the score to 10-5 by the break. The Eagles just couldn’t come all the way back.
In the state championship game, DeSales will square off against Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown, a team that topped Bay Village Bay Wednesday night. That state final will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus.
“The love that all of our players and coaches have for each other is a main reason we’re here,” DeSales head coach Joe Finotti said. “That’s proven to be an intangible.”
A special senior class
After last week’s win over Indian Hill to advance to the state tournament, Mlkvy told The Enquirer she’s had her eyes on this season for years. The reason? Her senior class.
Seniors comprised more than half of CHCA’s historic 2025 roster. Mlkvy said those seniors were huge for CHCA’s success, not only adding sound play on the field but also leadership off of it.
CHCA’s seniors closing out their high school lacrosse careers were Jenna Mallaley, Caroline Blair, Brooklyn Tapp, Rachel Sweeney, Carly Nix, Anna Mallaley, Kate Moran, Macy Lashells, Lucy Snyder, Brooklyn Thatcher, Mallori Sideris and Emma Lafkas.
“This senior class has a special place in my heart,” Mlkvy said.
Mlkvy unsure about her status for next year
Mlkvy, who led CHCA to its first-ever state tournament appearance in her third year at the helm of the Eagles, said after Wednesday’s game that she’s not sure if she’ll be back coaching CHCA next season.
“It’s up in the air,” Mlkvy said.
CHCA vs. Columbus DeSales scoring summary
CHCA: Lucy Snyder 3, Jenna Mallaley 3, Macy Lashells 2, Emery Snyder.
DeSales: Anna Bogan 4, Tiffany Kelley 4, Campbell Heald 4, Giada Valentine, Lauren Velazquez, MC Willison, Courtney Kelley.
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