Springboro Girls Lacrosse Achieves Historic State Final Four Berth

After three years of near misses in the regional tournament, the Springboro High School girls lacrosse team has reached the state Final Four for the first time in its history. The Panthers claimed the regional championship by narrowly defeating the Kings Knights 12-11 on Thursday, May 28, marking a significant milestone for the program. Coach Jamie Ling expressed relief and excitement, stating, “We’ve been close the last few years, and to finally get to the regional final and win was nice.”

This year, Springboro (17-5) overcame previous setbacks, including losses in the regional semifinals for three consecutive seasons. Last year, they were eliminated by Sycamore with a score of 15-12, and earlier defeats included narrow losses to Walnut Hills and Mason.

In a decisive regional semifinal match on May 26, the Panthers showcased their talent with standout performances from senior Ashley Filburn, who netted seven goals, alongside contributions from sophomore Cam Walters and juniors Grace Dresher and Mady Burns, each scoring three times. In the championship match against Kings, Filburn led the team again with five goals, though Ling noted, “We were up 12-8, and then kind of had a couple turnovers and (Kings) didn’t quit.” Fortunately, they managed to control the game in the final moments and secure the victory.

The Panthers now face a formidable challenge in the state semifinals against Upper Arlington, a well-established powerhouse in Ohio girls lacrosse. This matchup is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, at Mason High School. Upper Arlington, with a remarkable record of 21-1, has won four state championships and is making its fifth consecutive appearance in the tournament. Ling acknowledged the challenge, saying, “They’re the team in Ohio that everyone compares themselves to, and they’re usually penciled in as Region 3 champ.”

Springboro’s roster features several standout players, including Filburn, who has amassed 75 goals and 23 assists this season, and Walters, who leads the Greater Western Ohio Conference with 119 defensive controls. The Panthers have strategically scheduled tough opponents to prepare for the postseason, with Ling stating, “We scheduled knowing we were going to have a good team, so we’d be ready when the pressure is on.” As they gear up for this crucial semifinal match, the team remains hopeful for a strong showing against the Golden Bears.