Liberty and Upper Arlington Set for Fourth Consecutive Girls Lacrosse Championship Showdown

The high school lacrosse state semifinals commenced with familiar outcomes, leading to an anticipated rematch in the girls Division I final. Upper Arlington, boasting a 22-1 record, dominated Springboro with an 18-5 victory in their semifinal match on June 2 at Mason. This win secures the Golden Bears a spot in their fifth consecutive championship game, where they will face off against two-time defending champions Olentangy Liberty, which holds a record of 19-3.

Liberty's path to the final was not without drama, as they narrowly defeated Hudson 9-8 in an overtime thriller at Ashland. Despite a challenging game that saw them score no points for nearly 19 minutes, the Patriots rallied late, netting the final five goals. Senior midfielder Megan Benton, who is committed to Ohio State, played a pivotal role, scoring the game-winner with just over two minutes left in overtime and finishing with a total of five goals.

“We never gave up,” said Liberty's coach Tim Bosco, highlighting the team's resilience. “That is kind of what this program has been built on, that grittiness and that toughness.” The Patriots had to overcome a significant deficit, entering the fourth quarter down by four goals before staging their comeback.

Meanwhile, Upper Arlington continued its successful run against teams from southwest Ohio, showcasing a well-rounded team effort with seven different players scoring during the match. Coach Megan Sengelmann Strapp praised her team’s unity, saying, “We really play on playing for each other and believing in each other.” Junior goalie Tori Maurer’s strong performance was also crucial, as she helped keep Springboro at bay during critical moments of the game.

The championship game between Liberty and Upper Arlington is scheduled for 1 p.m. on June 7 at the Historic Crew Stadium, promising yet another thrilling chapter in this storied rivalry.