Freshman Zach White searches for an opening. (Katie Rankin’22/Media)
Academy took a trip to Maryland and clashed with Glenelg Country School on Sunday, March 31, to start its 2019 campaign. The Vikes rallied to send the game into overtime, but ultimately fell to the Dragons, 9-8.
Glenelg dominated possession in the first half, but CA battled to remain within striking distance. Freshman Zach White scored a pair of goals and senior Keenan Bellisari added one of his own, as the Vikings faced a 6-3 deficit heading into the locker rooms.
Senior Malcolm Klingbeil connected on a laser to bring Academy closer, but the Dragons responded with a score and seemed to be in full control heading into the final 12 minutes.
Glenelg extended its cushion to 8-4, and it looked as though the Dragons had finally delivered the knockout punch. The Vikes refused to quit, as Bellisari netted his second goal before junior Andrew Swartz scooped up a loose ball and bounced it into the back of the net.
With time winding down, Charlie Yaw took over. The junior slung a shot past the keeper, then took a feed from Swartz and found nylon again to tie the game with under 30 seconds left in regulation.
Stunned, Glenelg entered overtime. desperate to avoid falling victim to CA’s incredible comeback. The Dragons did just that, scoring less than a minute into the sudden-death period to escape with a victory.
The Vikings returned to Ohio and earned their first win of the year, as Academy hosted Hilliard Darby on Tuesday, April 2 and topped the Panthers, 14-10.
Both offenses started hot, and goals from White, Klingbeil, and senior David Barren weren’t enough to put the Vikes in front after the first quarter. Barren, after taking last season off, looked sharp in his return to the field, but his team trailed by a goal.
CA hit the gas in the second period. The Vikings uncorked a 6-0 flurry, leaving the Panthers in the dust. Swartz and White netted a pair of scores apiece, and Barren and Klingbeil each tacked on another, as Academy took a commanding lead into halftime.
Hilliard Darby continued to fight, but the Vikes fended the Panthers off. Barren and Swartz both scored two more goals and Klingbeil added his second of the night, as CA secured the victory.
The Vikings stayed home to battle Bishop Watterson on Thursday, April 4, and came up short against the Eagles, 16-11.
Academy struck just 9 seconds into the game, as White beat the keeper to give the Vikes the immediate momentum.
The squads traded blows, as neither team could create any separation. Barren and Bellisari logged goals before White scored again, but Bishop Watterson held a 5-4 advantage after one.
CA locked in defensively, and quieted the Eagles attack. Barren, Klingbeil, and Swartz found the back of the net, and the score was knotted at 7.
Bishop Watterson came out of the break energized, and built a cushion. Bellisari scored, but the Eagles took a 4-goal lead into the fourth quarter.
The Vikings tried to claw their way back in it, as Swartz completed a hat trick and Klingbeil tallied another score, but it wasn’t enough to catch the Eagles, who picked up the win.
Academy then traveled to Oakwood on Saturday, April 6, and thumped the Lumberjacks, 20-9. Bellisari and Swartz each racked up 5 goals, and Klingbeil notched a hat trick. White and sophomore Lakes Florey scored two goals apiece, and senior Gunnar Geiger and Yaw both had one, as the Vikes coasted to a victory.
CA will hit the road for a showdown with archrival Bexley on Monday, April 8, before hosting Wellington on Thursday, April 11 and Big Walnut on Saturday, April 13.
