The theme for the Chagrin Falls boys lacrosse team this season has been brotherhood — and in the OHSAA Regional Semifinal, the Tigers demonstrated a high level of cohesiveness and brotherhood in their dominating victory over the Hoban Knights.
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The theme for the Chagrin Falls boys lacrosse team this season has been brotherhood — and in the OHSAA Regional Semifinal, the Tigers demonstrated a high level of cohesiveness and brotherhood in their dominating victory over the Hoban Knights.
The Tigers took an early 6-2 halftime lead, then added 11 second-half goals to defeat the Knights, 17-8.
Working together at a high level was an important component of the Tigers offensive game plan.
In fact, Head Coach Zak Gebler said that offensively, his Tigers were focused on maintaining possession, limiting turnovers, and taking a lot of shots on goal.
“We shot the ball well today,” Coach Gebler said. “We made (the goalie) work. We moved the ball around the cage and gave him some different looks.
“Seventeen goals against that good of a goalie, the region of the year goalie, is difficult to do, so I’m pretty happy with how we played offensively.”
The Tigers offense did an excellent job of executing the game plan, as they were able to manufacture 43 shots on goal for the contest.
In addition, the team’s excellent teamwork led to efficient passes and 12 assists for the contest.
Leading the Tigers with six goals against the Knights was junior Drew Zelch.
“All (the credit) goes to the team,” Zelch said. “Obviously the offense, but definitely the defense. We played great today.”
Zelch also stressed that the Tigers’ offensive key was to move the ball well and maintain possession — and to that effect, it is difficult for opponents to stop Zelch, said his coach.
“Drew is always a nightmare matchup for other teams, with his athleticism and ability to shoot the ball,” Coach Gebler said.
Also leading the Chagrin Falls’ offense was sophomore Owen Edwards, who had four goals.
After the game, Edwards noted when teamwork and brotherhood were especially evident.
“As a team, we really just came together in the fourth quarter,” Edwards said. “That’s been a struggle all year, so it was nice to see us come together in the fourth quarter and put 11 (in the net) in the second half.”
Coach Gebler was also very happy with Edward’s performance.
“Tonight (Owen) really stepped up and found the back of the net,” he said. “He was throwing fakes; he was putting the ball off stick, and made their goalie work.”
In addition to Zelch (6 goals) and Edwards (4), also netting Tigers goals were Owen Adelman (3), Jacob Kay (2) and JP Shaw (2).
Providing assists against the Knights were Adelman (6), Edwards (2), Zelch (2), Jack Gellin (1) and Kay (1).
The Tigers season would come to an end with an 18-5 loss May 30 in the Regional Final. Scoring goals against the University Preppers were Adelman, John Catney, Edwards, Shaw and Zelch; Edwards, Kay, and Shaw recorded assists.
