Schools

Heights Girl's Lacrosse Loses in State Semi-final 11-5 to Upper Arlington

The Heights Tiger girl's lacrosse season ended with Upper Arlington dominating every aspect of the game and winning 11-5.

Thank you to John Lentz for providing the following game recap.

The Heights Tiger girl's turned into a nightmare June 1 as the No. 1 Golden Bears of Upper Arlington dominated every aspect of the game, winning 11-5.

The Tigers had beaten Upper Arlington in April 9-6 and came into this state semi-final game feeling confident. The Golden Bears scored in the first minute but Heights senior Margeaux Apple tied the score on a nice pass from senior Meg Lentz. Upper Arlington scored a minute later, but Heights showed their mettle tying the score 2-2 on a goal by sophomore Meredith Matia at 18:12.

For the next 10 minutes, Heights sophomore goalie Madi Kohr saved shot after relentless shot. Upper Arlington opened the flood gates at 8:45 left in the first half, scoring four consecutive goals to take a 6-2 lead at the break.

Lentz won the draw control to start the second half and drove down the field scoring after only 20 seconds to bring Heights to a 6-3 deficit.  However, the speed, athleticism and depth of the U.A. roster started to show. Forcing multiple turnovers from the rapidly tiring Tigers and winning every draw control, the Golden Bears pressed their advantages, scoring three successive goals opening a 9-3 lead with 15 minutes to play.

The Tigers, led by Lentz, scored two more goals, but it wasn't nearly enough as Upper Arlington matched the tallies and won going away 11-5.

Upper Arlington won 15 of 18 draw controls and caused at least a dozen turnovers. The score might have been much more lopsided had it not been for a dazzling display between the pipes by Kohr and tenacious defense from the Heights back line.

Heights coach Terry Saylor commented after the game that Heights was slow in the attack zone often finding themselves trying to go "three on seven."

Heights goals: Lentz 3, Apple, Matia
U.A. goals: Holbert 5, Dugger 2, Hansel 2, Steen, S. Farwick

The game ended the outstanding high school careers of Meg Lentz, Margeaux Apple and Ellie Austin.

Next year the Tigers will be led by seniors Kyra Schoonover, Isabel Collins, Allie Sharon, Sara Friedberg and Kelly Dawson. Meredith Matia, Madeleine Winans, Prisca Ngolo and Kalah Saunders will represent a strong Junior class. Junior Madi Kohr will be back. Freshman Sarah Lentz showed tremendous progress through the year and will no doubt be expected to reach the next level.

Although the season did not end the way Heights had dreamed, the Tigers showed surprising determination crafting a successful season beyond expectations.  

The highlights of the year included defeating Upper Arlington in April, winning a close game against Division II champions Hathaway Brown, beating their crosstown rivals Shaker Heights, holding on to win a thriller against the No. 1 team in Western Pennsylvania, Peters Township, and of course, , in overtime, to get to the final four.

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