JA attackman Aspen Cameron surveys a Bexley Lion defense in a game earlier this season. The junior Pioneer was responsible for three goals against Westerville South during an overtime victory.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
—
Jonathan Alder’s varsity lacrosse team improved to 5-2 on the season following a comeback against Westerville South which saw the Pioneers earn an 11-10 overtime triumph.
The Pioneers took a quick 2-0 lead in the initial minutes of the first quarter.
Mason Wolford scored both goals and Wyatt Kaizer notched an assist.
Just a few minutes later, however, the Wildcats tallied two goals to tie the game with around five minutes left in the first quarter.
After tying the matchup, the opponents in Red and White surpassed the visiting Pioneers by adding another four goals in the late portion of the first quarter.
Aspen Cameron helped bring the Wildcat lead down to just three goals (6-3) after claiming a score with a minute and a half left in the first quarter.
The Pioneers chomped their way back during the second quarter with goals coming from Corey Kingry, Jack Kennedy and Drew Mark.
The three goals put them within reach of a 7-6 Westerville South lead as the halftime quickly approached.
Neither the Pioneers nor the Wildcats were able to muster a goal in the third quarter of play as both teams battled for field superiority.
As the fourth quarter commenced, so resumed the scoring efforts.
However, scoring didn’t resume until there were five minutes left in the period.
Cameron took credit for tying the game at 7-7, but the Wildcats did not back down very easy.
Westerville South responded by scoring another three goals to take a 10-7 advantage with roughly a minute and a half left to go in regulation.
Now in desperation mode, Cameron tallied the first goal in what turned into the start of a comeback for the Pioneers.
Wolford, already with two goals on the night, recorded the final two scores to tie the matchup at 10-10.
Wolford’s final goal with roughly 20 seconds to play sent the game into overtime.
Alder finally got the edge it needed in OT with Wolford scoring the game-winning goal with 1:30 left to play.
Alder’s Mason Arbogast made nine saves off of 19 shots on goal.
His best performance came in the second quarter with four saves.
So far this season, Wolford is leading the Pioneers when it comes to goals scored (23) and is followed by Kingry (20).