The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
TIGER TALE: TITLE TILT AWAITS AGAIN
Ohio State recruit Beg nets five goals, has two assists as Chagrin books final berth
OBERLIN » Chagrin Falls faced a deficit early in its Division II state semifinal against Rocky River at Oberlin College on May 30.
Before the Pirates sent points into the back of the Tigers’ net, Rocky River controlled possession with consistent success on draws in the match’s opening minutes.
Sophomore Mia Razavi and senior Ohio State commit Catie Beg turned the Tigers’ fortunes around in the midfield circle to spark Chagrin Falls. The Tigers used a 9-0 run in the first half to open a comfortable lead en route to a 17-9 win over the Pirates.
Beg led the Tigers with five goals and two assists. Razavi and Kelly Wynveen, who added three goals, helped Chagrin Falls control possession.
“They did ridiculous,” Beg said. “That was one of the best draw games for Mia. She killed it and that’s really impressive to do, because draws are getting a lot harder. There’s a lot more skill going into it.”
Chagrin Falls advances to the D-II state final June 2 against Cincinnati Mariemont at Ohio Wesleyan.
The Tigers will play in their fourth straight state championship game.
Rocky River opened a 3-1 lead in the game’s first nine minutes. Wynveen scored to pull the Tigers within one and two tallies from Beg gave Chagrin Falls its first lead, 4-3, midway through the first half. Beg added two assists on goals by Creagan Mee and Reagan Dowling.
Tigers coach Chris Gellin saw Beg provide exactly what her team needed in a state semifinal with a narrow score.
“When we’re in those situations, I want her to have the ball,” Gellin said. “She responds, the more and more the season’s gone on, she’s made better and better decisions.”
Beg’s scoring derived from the Tigers’ dominance on draws. After Razavi controlled possession to the All-American, Beg rumbled downfield to score seemingly effortless goals.
Rocky River coach Lizz Steinmetz planned to faceguard Razavi and Beg to try to stifle the Tigers’ offense. Chagrin Falls’ success on draws neutralized the Pirates’ strategy and created scoring chances for Beg.
“She usually finds the back of the net,” Steinmetz said. “When we did win the draw, we played our game, we played our tempo and our flow. We just didn’t win enough of them.”
Chagrin Falls led, 13-4, after Ann Gellin notched a pair of goals early in the second half. Gellin finished with four goals.
Lauren Cain scored twice to spark four unanswered goals for Rocky River that whittled the Tigers’ lead to five, 13-8. Razavi ended the rally with one of her two goals after a drive behind the net before scores from Jillian Diedrich and Beg stretched Chagrin Falls’ lead back to nine.
The Tigers’ ability to shut down the Pirates’ comeback attempt traced back to midfield.
“It’s a game-changer,” Gellin said. “It’s make it, take it. Lacrosse is the one sport, boys and girls, where you can honestly hold possession for as long as you want. It’s a game-changer.”
Beg will play in a state final for the fourth time in her four seasons at Chagrin Falls. The Tigers finished the previous three seasons as runners-up in D-II.
“I feel like it’s just like we’ve got to get it,” Beg said. “Everyone, every year feels more and more motivated when we get closer and closer. Hopefully this is the year.”