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Bucs fall in inaugural lacrosse match

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By John Bombatch

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XENIA — While the host Xenia Buccaneers lost, 18-6, Wednesday night to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, the record books will also note that 18 XHS student-athletes played the first boys lacrosse game in the school’s history.

Bucs coach Scott Dye asked his team captains to come over and answer questions from the media after the match.

“I had fun,” Xenia senior Nathan Ferguson said about the first official varsity game.

“I did, too. We had a lot of fun, and it seemed like we could get a lot better. We have to put some more points on the board,” said freshman Alex Dye.

“Yeah, I think we learned a lot today,” Ferguson added.

The players credited teammates Darion Conner (who played goalie), Ryan Johnston (two goals), and Nathan Ferguson (who scored three of Xenia’s six goals) with solid outings.

Dye added a goal and an assist for Xenia.

Some of the historical moments were:

• First penalty — Johnston received a one-minute pushing penalty in the match’s opening minute of play.

• First goal scored — CHCA attacker Jackson Cates scored the first two goals of the match in the game’s first two minutes of play.

• First Xenia goal scored — Ferguson scored three minutes into the first quarter.

• First Xenia goal save — Conner snared an Eagles shot seven minutes into the game.

• First injury timeout — Dye limped off with a minor leg injury with a minute left to play in the first quarter.

The official roster listed Isaac Tatum, Stefin Wright, Dayne Atkinson, Darion Conner, Ryan Johnston, Johnathan Knowles, Logan DeLotelle, Seth Soderquist, Brian Dixon, Nathan Ferguson, Zach Frisby, Tye Ferrell, Chance Sundstrom, Sam Frisby, Ryan Bennett, Ian Soderquist, Eric Creswell and Alex Dye on the inaugural Xenia Buccaneers boys lacrosse team roster.

Scott Dye is the team’s head coach. Jason Soderquist and Danny Stewart serve as assistant coaches.

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (1-0) was led by Nate Merten who scored six goals, all in the first half. Cates finished with five, Kyle Renner scored three, Keegan Zimmerman scored two goals, Owen Van Delheuvel had a goal, Austin Moser had a goal and an assist, and Ryan Hunt had an Eagles assist.

According to CHCA coach Jason Copestick, the Eagles began lacrosse play in 2009. He said it was an honor to be a part of Xenia’s first game, ever.

“We’ve done our learning process just like Xenia is going through now,” Copestick said. “This is a special experience for an organization and a school and for this bunch of young men, I’m impressed with how they did for their first time out. They competed the whole time, and that’s really all you can ask.

“They competed hard, they played well, and they’ll get better. They’ll become a good squad.”

Xenia coach Scott Dye said he appreciated the team’s effort. “We got to put this one behind us and get ready for Miami Valley,” he said.

Xenia (0-1) plays its first varsity road game on Friday, April 1 in Miamisburg against Miami Valley

This past June, the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced that it would sponsor boys and girls lacrosse, beginning in the 2016-17 school year. Ohio’s first state-wide high school lacrosse tournament will be held in the Spring of 2017. When the OHSAA Board of Directors voted 8-0 to approve the recommendation of bringing on lacrosse as a sponsored sport, there were 122 boys lacrosse teams and 118 girls teams sponsored by their respective lacrosse associations.

A sport needs at least 150 schools to become an officially recognized sport in the OHSAA.

According to MaxPreps.com, there are now 188 Ohio boys high school lacrosse teams. Locally, Xenia, Bellbrook, Beavercreek and Carroll are fielding teams this season.

Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy attacker Owen Van Den Heuvel (29) gets off a shot as Xenia’s defense and goalie Darion Conner (5) attempt to make the stop. Van Den Heuvel scored on the play and CHCA won 18-6, Wednesday at Xenia High School. The match was Xenia’s first, ever, for the school.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/03/web1_CHCAXenia22.jpgCincinnati Hills Christian Academy attacker Owen Van Den Heuvel (29) gets off a shot as Xenia’s defense and goalie Darion Conner (5) attempt to make the stop. Van Den Heuvel scored on the play and CHCA won 18-6, Wednesday at Xenia High School. The match was Xenia’s first, ever, for the school. Barb Slone | Greene County News

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/03/XeniaLacrosseLogo.pngBarb Slone | Greene County News

With a shout of “1-2-3 Family!” the Xenia Buccaneers boys lacrosse team breaks the huddle, Wednesday, at Xenia High School. The team played its very first varsity lacrosse match in school history, losing 18-6 to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/03/web1_HuddleBreak.jpgWith a shout of “1-2-3 Family!” the Xenia Buccaneers boys lacrosse team breaks the huddle, Wednesday, at Xenia High School. The team played its very first varsity lacrosse match in school history, losing 18-6 to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. John Bombatch | Greene County News

Xenia’s Chance Sundstrom (22) attempts to pick up the ball, as CHCA’s Tyler Sikkema (16) closes in, during Wednesday night’s boys high school lacrosse match at Xenia High School. Xenia lost its inaugural match, 18-6.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/03/web1_SundstromScoop.jpgXenia’s Chance Sundstrom (22) attempts to pick up the ball, as CHCA’s Tyler Sikkema (16) closes in, during Wednesday night’s boys high school lacrosse match at Xenia High School. Xenia lost its inaugural match, 18-6. John Bombatch | Greene County News

John Bombatch can be reached at 937-372-4444, Ext. 2123.