Junior Sydney Hill slashes towards the goal. (Inji Kang’19/Media editor)

The Academy girls lacrosse squad matched up against the stiffest competition in Ohio this past week, as the #2 seed Vikings looked to preserve their state title hopes. 

CA hosted #3 seed Worthington Kilbourne on Tuesday, May 22, and trampled the Wolves, 17-10. The Vikes’ offense caught fire in the first half, and the girls took a 10-4 advantage into the break. Worthington Kilbourne continued to fight in the second half, but Academy deftly fended off the Wolves, earning a comfortable victory. 

Juniors Sydney Hill, Lexi Leader, and Tani Obikunle each had four goals to power the Vikings. On the other end, freshman goalie Ashley Reynolds played a phenomenal game as well, collecting numerous saves to help thwart Worthington Kilbourne’s momentum.

The girls then traveled to Thomas Worthington on Friday, May 25, to challenge #1 seed DeSales with a ticket to the state final four on the line. The Stallions came out firing, taking twelve first-half shots in comparison to CA’s five, and the Vikes faced a 10-5 deficit at the intermission. 

DeSales turned up its defensive energy coming out of the locker rooms, quieting Academy’s electric offense, and coasting to a 16-7 win.

The Vikings will have almost their complete cast returning, but the loss of seniors Shenique Lewis and Kelley Marie-Antoine will leave a void to fill in both play and leadership. Luckily, CA’s star-studded junior class seems ready to take over, and the Vikes look primed for another deep playoff run next year.