Mercedes Crestanello’19 cuts through defense:10/24 Dublin Coffman game. (Paul Hansen’19)

Our Vikings faced Upper Arlington in the district semi-finals on Tuesday, October 24, during a freezing rain-storm and blusters that had the crowd scrambling for cover. But the team pushed through and played its hardest. At the game’s start, both teams were evenly matched. Kiersten Thomassey’20 broke the tied 0-0 with a score just before the end of the first half. Senior Maddie DeAscentis scored twice soon after halftime. Though the Golden Bears had some incredibly close shots, goalie Kelley Marie Antoine’18 managed to save them all and keep the score at 3-0 for the rest of the game.

The Vikings faced the tough Olentangy Liberty Patriots at districts on Saturday, October 28. Neither team scored for most of the first half, but Carolyn Bowman’19 netted a point for the Vikes, setting the score at halftime to 1-0. The Vikings used this energy to keep the ball moving more and ended up scoring 4 more goals, by juniors Avie Smith and Mercedes Crestanello (2), and sophomore Lauren Bernacki. Academy won its 22nd district title in 27 years with a 5-0 victory.

With a new district title in hand, the team advances to the state semi-finals,  facing Shaker Heights on Friday, November 3. 

If the Vikes win, they will face either Mount Notre Dame or longtime rival Thomas Worthington in the state finals at Upper Arlington High School on Saturday, November 4.