New Albany lacrosse faces big test in UA

The New Albany girls lacrosse team has a single blemish on its record — a 12-5 loss to Upper Arlington on May 5. The Eagles get their shot at redemption Saturday against the fourtime defending champion Golden Bears.

Winners of four Division II state titles between 2007 and ‘13, the Eagles (21-1) hope to atone for their regular-season performance against UA — the top-ranked team in the state and Ohio’s most dominant team the last four years — in a Division I state final at 4 p.m. at Ohio Wesleyan’s Selby Stadium in Delaware.

“Our offense wasn’t as mature as it needed to be,” Eagles coach David Ferguson said of his team’s previous game against UA. “We had opportunities but we did not convert our free position shots. Those will be key in our ability to win.”

Ferguson’s team, which has allowed 4.5 goals per game (4.0 in the postseason), is defensive-minded first and foremost. Stopping UA’s transition, fast breaks and draw control will be important.

“People do not give enough credit to outstanding defensive play,” Ferguson said. “We know they have a very talented offense, but when you look at our defense, I’ll put them up against anybody.”

The Eagles will defend a UA team that boasts five players with 53 goals or more, led by Brooke Smith (74 goals, 38 assists), Megan Kozar (53-58), Brenna Smith (66 goals) and Lauren Farber (64). Farber also has won 162 draw controls, including 12 of 19 against New Albany in the regular season.

Upper Arlington (23-0) has won 41 consecutive games and 64 straight against in-state opponents. The last time UA lost to a central Ohio team was April 19, 2011 — 12-11 in overtime to New Albany.

“Other people are more impressed with those records than we are,” UA coach Wendy Pinta said. “Our motto is to get better each and every day — if we’re not getting better, we’re getting worse.”

DeSales is vying for its second state title and first since 2012 when it faces Toledo Ottawa Hills in a Division II final at 1 p.m. Saturday at Selby Stadium.

The Green Bears are only in their 10th year of existence, but steamrolled through the regular season with a 20-1 record, escaping with a 7-6 state semifinal win over Chagrin Falls on Tuesday.

The Stallions (18-3) allowed just seven goals through their first four tournament games before edging Cincinnati Mariemont 15-13 in a state semifinal.