Jonathan Alder’s Jack Kennedy tries to get past a Stallion defender during the first half of action. The senior Pioneer recorded one goal and one assist in JA’s last game of the season.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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Jonathan Alder’s boys lacrosse team concluded its season after falling 18-3 to Columbus St. Francis DeSales.
Following a 21-6 win over New Concord John Glenn, the seventh-seeded Pioneers ventured to the home of the No. 2 Stallions. DeSales also handled business earlier by defeating Lima Senior 20-1.
Despite its 2024 spring campaign ending, the Scarlet and Black exceeded expectations by matching the program’s best season record of 13-6.
Those records came during the 2023 and 2024 campaigns.
“These guys had a heck of a season,” JA head coach Rob Davis said. “This team really rose above what our expectations were. They played so much better, but we have another level to hit.”
The tourney loss marked the last high school game for seniors Eli Nicol, Forrest Gregory, Jack Kennedy, Connor Bodey and Alex Boggs.
“They are just really special,” Davis said, noting how they waited in the wings for a chance to lead the program.
Wyatt Clemons started Alder off on the right note by scoring in the first few minutes of the opening period. However, the lead did not last long.
The Stallions were quick to respond with goals from Blake Carawan and Neal Ritchies within about 30 seconds.
DeSales continued to mount the assault with goals by Carawan, Ritchie, Bryce Herrick and Ty Hampton.
Carawan also was credited with an assist.
Heading into the second quarter, the Stallions held a 6-1 spread.
With a stifling offense accompanied by a cutthroat defense, DeSales added another trio of goals with the last coming on a Hampton assist to Herrick.
Roughly two minutes later, the Pioneers cut the deficit with a score from Clemons on Kennedy’s assist.
That narrowed JA’s gap to 9-2.
The Stallions tallied three more goals and led 12-2 at halftime.
The last time the Pioneers managed to find the back of the net was at the beginning of the third quarter.
Kennedy struck a goal on an assist from Emmerich Mast.
The Pioneers trailed 12-3 with 10:19 left in the third set.
The Stallions went on to score six more times, including three goals in the fourth quarter.
The victory elevated DeSales to the next round of the Division II postseason.
The Pioneers struggled to earn possessions on face-offs.
They managed just seven, as compared to DeSales’ 18.
The Stallions took advantage of its offensive possessions by taking more than 40 shots on goal.
DeSales’ Josh Wade collected eight saves at goalkeeper. Gavin Grimmett recorded seven.
JA’s Nicol finished with 17 saves.
Reflecting on the younger players who earned their stripes on the field, Davis thinks the foundation of Pioneer lacrosse will continue to get stronger.
“One day, in the near future, this group will be competing and getting out of the quarterfinals,” the coach said. “This freshman class has accomplished a lot this year.”