JA midfielder Ryan Mark (11) battles for a ground ball against Bexley’s Seth Rosenberg (17). (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
After falling to Bexley in the first round of last year’s Division II tournament, the Jonathan Alder Pioneers claimed redemption against a competitive Lions squad with the final score of 7-6.
“It was a tough game,” JA coach Rob Davis said. “The rest of it was just a grudge match.”
The Lions boasted a 4-2 overall record prior to facing off against a 3-2 Pioneer squad.
From the first faceoff, both units battled, but the ball mostly resided on Alder’s portion of the field.
“We worked a lot on defensive communication this week to make sure everyone knew their assignments,” Davis said “Not even on the defensive side, but also on offense… we knew Bexley would be a quality opponent.”
Alder’s Corey Kingry claimed the game’s first goal.
Shortly after that score, Bexley increased its offensive aggressiveness.
Rex Hockman claimed the Lions’ initial first goal, putting the game at an even 1-1 with roughly five minutes left in the first quarter.
Kingry returned the favor for a 2-1 Alder edge with approximately three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
With one minute left on the timer, Bexley secured another goal to tie the battle, 2-2.
JA attackman Mason Wolford gave the Pioneers a morale boost by going on to score and putting a 3-2 lead back in Alder’s hands with just 23 second left in the opening quarter.
As the opposing teams switched cages, Bexley shot out like a bullet from a gun to tie the game once again at 3-3.
Bexley then took its first lead of 4-3 early in the second set.
“I thought we struggled a bit on defense in the first half,” Davis said.
The Lions did not stop there, however, notching another goal for a 5-3 margin.
“I thought our guys came out and later got a lot more aggressive,” Davis said. “We were kind of timid on defense during the first half.
“We weren’t pressing out as much as we wanted to.”
Most of the third quarter turned out to be a slug fest with both teams trying desperately to keep up with the another.
Alder midfielder Wyatt Kaizer gave his luck a try, connecting on goal that put the Pioneers down by just one score, 5-4.
Roughly over a minute later, Wolford cranked his shot at another goal, tying up the contest at 5-5 with 1:22 left to play in the third quarter.
In the opening 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, Alder struck gold again.
Wolford notched his fourth hat trick of the season, putting the Pioneers ahead 6-5.
Several minutes later, Jack Kennedy tallied JA’s seventh goal of the night as the Lions went into overdrive to try and take the lead once again.
However, Bexley was only able to secure one goal the rest of the contest.
“The rest of the schedule, I think, we have some pretty tough opponents,” Davis said. “This was a good win for us. This was a big mental step forward.”
Alder’s Mason Arbogast made a total of 15 saves off 21 shots by the Lions.
Wolford has four hat tricks this spring. He’s scored 18 goals, which are just behind Kingry, who has 19 (including three hat tricks).
Alder is slated to play at New Concord John Glenn on Saturday starting at 4 p.m.