Bishop Watterson Advances to State Championship with Victory Over Mariemont

Bishop Watterson faced off against Mariemont in the OHSAA Division II boys lacrosse state semifinal for the second consecutive year, and once again, the Eagles emerged victorious, defeating the Warriors 12-5 at Alumni Stadium in Centerville on June 2. With this win, Watterson secures a place in the state finals, where they will defend their title against Rocky River on June 6.

The two teams had previously met earlier in the season, with Watterson winning that encounter 10-4 on April 11. However, Eagles head coach Chris Sauter emphasized that past results were not a source of comfort as they prepared for the semifinal. "They know how to hurt us when we make a mistake," Sauter remarked, anticipating a fiercely competitive match.

The game started with both teams showcasing strong defensive efforts, resulting in a scoreless stalemate until the final moments of the first quarter. Mariemont's Ethan Hern finally broke the deadlock with a long-distance shot, igniting a flurry of goals. Watterson's Ryan Grimm and Dash Hoy quickly responded, but Mariemont's Vince Fiorina equalized just before the quarter ended.

As the second quarter unfolded, the scoring continued with Ben McClorey of Mariemont exchanging goals with Watterson's Drew Dunlap. Just before halftime, Grimm capitalized on a rare mistake by Mariemont’s Will Haugh, giving the Eagles a slight edge as they headed into the break. Watterson junior Joe Hayes noted that the team initially struggled with nerves, stating, "In the first half the boys were playing a little scared, the moment was getting to us a bit."

However, the Eagles came out with renewed energy in the second half, with Hoy scoring just 33 seconds in. Watterson dominated the quarter, securing five additional goals and taking a commanding 10-3 lead into the final period. "We started to loosen up, have fun, and play Watterson lacrosse," Hayes explained.

With a couple more goals exchanged in the closing minutes, Watterson secured their place in the championship game. Although Mariemont's season ended in the regional semifinals for the second year, the team, led by interim coach Reed Peterson, showed resilience amid challenges. Peterson praised his senior players for their leadership throughout the season, recognizing their role in achieving the Warriors' eighth state tournament appearance in nine years.

As Watterson prepares for the upcoming championship match, Coach Sauter expressed a mix of relief and determination. "You want to take advantage of every opportunity. It's stressful, but we know how blessed we are," he said, acknowledging the tough challenge that Rocky River presents. "That's a professional team. We're gonna need everything we've got and then some to win that game."