LOCAL ROUNDUP

It was another clean sheet for emergency goalie Kyle Tapping and with it the Essex Red Raiders are headed to OFSAA.

Tapping, who was again subbing for injured starter Jacob Chippett, posted the shutout in last week’s 2-0 WECSSAA win over General Amherst and was again unbeatable Wednesday as the Red Raiders blanked the Wallaceburg Tartans 4-0 to claim the SWOSSAA senior boys’ AA title at home.

Captain Jackson Moore and Tyler Zsebok each scored twice for the Red Raiders, who advance to the OFSAA championship, which is being hosted by L’Essor from June 7-9.

KNIGHTS EDGE LANCERS

The Holy Names Knights rallied to beat the Chatham Ursuline Lancers 2-1 in overtime to capture the SWOSSAA boys’ AAA soccer title on Wednesday at University of Windsor Stadium.

The Lancers scored in the opening three minutes of the game and carried the lead until late in regulation when the Knights tied it on a goal by Paul DiMeo.

Holy Names got the winner in the first half of extra time on a goal by John Ferri, and goalie Markus Aguiar was outstanding to secure the win. The Knights, who won a bronze medal at OFSAA last year, will look to improve on that performance at this year’s event, which is set for June 7-9 in Thunder Bay.

SABRES BLANK TARTANS

The Sandwich Sabres are headed to OFSAA after beating the Wallaceburg Tartans in the SWOSSAA girls’ AA soccer final on Wednesday. Sylvia Dean and Jena El-hassan each scored a pair of goals for the Sabres while Julia Mlinarevic added the other goal and Chloe Dender posted the shutout.

Sandwich will join host L’Essor at the OFSAA girls’ AA championship from June 7-9.

ROYALS WIN BIG

The Lajeunesse Royals rolled to the SWOSSAA girls’ A soccer championship on Wednesday with a 6-0 win over John McGregor in Chatham. Michaela DiFranco scored three goals, including one on a penalty, while Maya Calongcagong, Emily Chauvin and Megan Murtagh added single goals and Ashanti Christian picked up the shutout. Lajeunesse now heads to Pain Court for the OFSAA championship, which is set for June 7-9.

WILDCATS LOSE HEARTBREAKER

The Villanova Wildcats’ hopes for a spot at OFSAA came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday. Trailing at the half, the Wildcats scored in the second half to tie the game at 1-1, but fell in a shootout on the road to the Chatham-Kent Hawks in the SWOSSAA girls’ AAA soccer final.

Chatham-Kent will compete at OFSAA June 7-9 along with the St. Anne Saints, who are the host team.

MUSTANGS DROP WOLFPACK

The Massey Mustangs have advanced to the OFSAA West Regional Baseball Tournament in Whitby after beating the Great Lakes Wolfpack 5-1 in Sarnia.

Massey’s Storm Ricciotti broke open a close game with a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning and also earned the save by allowing one-unearned run over the final three innings. Starter Bennett Grenier threw four shutout innings as Massey’s pitching duo allowed just two hits combined. Alex Drouillard chipped in with three singles for the Mustangs.

The Wolfpack will host the St. Anne Saints on Thursday in the SWOSSAA challenge game, with the winner joining the Mustangs at the regional, which is set for June 6 and 7.