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Wolves Finally Take Down UA in the Big One.

Jun. 10, 2009

It was a simple question, but Worthington Kilbourne boys lacrosse coach Mike Riffee was having a hard time coming up with a simple answer.

After nearly two decades of coming close, the Wolves finally got the cigar with a 7-6 victory over host Upper Arlington in the Division I Ohio High School Lacrosse Association state championship game Saturday, June 6.

Riffee casually fielded questions from several reporters -- at the same time accepting congratulations from parents, students, teachers, other coaches and administrators who had flooded the field.

As to the simple question: "How does it feel to finally win the final game of the season," the coach was having trouble finding the words to capture his feelings.

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Riffee was amused by the community celebration. Suddenly, he found the answer.

"That's what it's all about right there," he said. "Look at these people -- this is our family. It's not just the 32 kids on the team.

"That's the reason we work so hard -- right there."

Make no mistake about it, winning -- and losing -- was hard work for both squads in the title match.

The Golden Bears (18-3) came into the contest as the five-time defending state champions. In last year's state final, UA defeated Kilbourne 11-3.

Heading into 2009, the Wolves again felt they had the talent to go all the way for the state title. The difficult part was having to beat the Bears to get there, something Kilbourne (21-2) had been unable to do since opening its doors in 1991.

Toward that end, the Wolves cleared a giant hurdle with a 10-8 regular-season win at UA April 29. While it was an historical victory, it wasn't the state championship.

With that in mind, here's what happened in the tussle at Marv Moorehead Stadium June 6.

All season, Kilbourne's strength has been transitioning from defense to its fast-break offense, so it was no surprise to see the Wolves come out of the gates at full throttle.

Early goals from seniors Christian Sorensen and Kevin Mack gave the Wolves a 2-0 advantage, but lacrosse is a game of runs and the Bears were just warming up.

Junior midfielder Timmy Yuhas began to take control of face-offs, allowing UA to slow things down and work its ball-control offense.

The Wolves wouldn't score again in the first half. In fact, Kilbourne had few possessions the rest of the half -- UA taking a 3-2 lead into the locker room.

The Bears took their only two-goal lead of the game early in the third quarter on a goal by Spencer Parsons, but the Wolves responded with three unanswered goals to take a 5-4 lead.

Sophomore Luke Treece tied the score 5-5 midway through the period.

A minute into the final frame, junior Will Campbell -- the game's most valuable player on offense -- put the Wolves ahead for good with a left-handed shot, his second goal of the game.

"My right hand's a lot stronger, so they were overcompensating, letting me go to the left," Campbell said. "It was at a point in the game where I just thought I had to do it.

"I'm not a big fan of shooting left-handed, but I felt I had to step up and take that shot. It was a good shot, but I got a little lucky."

Senior Drew Roper added the game-winner minutes later, taking a pass from senior Pat Riffee, then posting up Bears senior goalkeeper Teddy Dugger.

"(Both defenders) went to Pat on the pick, so he just threw the ball back to me and I did what I'm supposed to do," Roper said. "He made a couple of unbelievable saves on me earlier, so just to put one by him in the state championship game, I'm going to remember that the rest of my life."

UA scored its final goal with 6:50 to play, but Kilbourne's ball-control offense, tough defense and several big saves by junior keeper Cole Horwatt -- the defensive MVP of the game -- were the difference down the stretch.

Horwatt stoned UA's top offensive threat -- senior Alex Drake -- with seconds remaining in the contest.

After a Bears timeout, Drake took the ball at the top of the circle and drove to the net. Horwatt made the save and Worthington began its celebration.

"I saw (Drake) up top and I knew he was coming to shoot," Horwatt said. "They cleared out the whole alley, so I was just focused. I made the save, got rid of it and that's it.

"My defense was amazing and my offense was working for me -- I didn't want to mess it up for them, so I did the best I could."

Sorensen and Campbell each scored twice to lead the Kilbourne offense. Mack, Roper and senior Austin Wright scored once each. Horwatt made 17 saves.

Parsons led the Bears with two goals. Treece, Drake, senior Kyle Frost and senior Kyle Cooper scored once each for UA. Dugger made 13 saves.

The Bears began the season having to replace 20 seniors from the '08 squad. To finish one goal from another state title was an impressive accomplishment for a team led by its 14 seniors.

"They should be proud of their time here at Upper Arlington," UA coach Ted Wolford said. "During their time here, they won three state championships.

"There were certainly a lot of people who didn't expect them to be in this position at the end of the year. They fought hard to improve and to prove themselves.