Andrews Osborne-Worthington Christian boys soccer state final capsule
Nov. 9—Andrews Osborne vs. Worthington Christian
What: Division III state final
When: 7 p.m., Nov. 11
Where: Historic Crew Stadium, Black and Gold Bouelvard, Columbus (Note: Due to the MLS playoffs, this year's state finals are not taking place at Lower.com Field in downtown Columbus' Arena District as they normally would.)
Records: Andrews Osborne 17-0-1, Worthington Christian 18-2-3
What to look for: One last match remains in the 2023 News-Herald coverage area high school soccer season, as Andrews Osborne will play for the boys D-III state crown. The Phoenix recorded a nervy 1-0 state semifinal win over previously unbeaten Ottoville on Nov. 8 at Clyde, getting the match-winner from Lucas Alonso Garcia in the opening 40 in the aftermath of an Ishmael Mensah free kick. Both standouts have been integral in the attack to this breakthrough postseason run, with Garcia, a junior, up to 22 goals along with 16 assists, and Mensah, a senior, recording 17 goals and 30 assists. Javier de Osma (5-18), Manu Nieto (18-20), Diego Rivas (19 goals) and Giancarlo Toirac (4-5) are all capable performers in the offensive third for the Phoenix as well. Rivas brings width to the attack. Mensah is a heady and tireless ballwinner and facilitator. Nieto brings further power and confidence to the middle of the park. In the back, a group led by central defender Enrique Benito Sierra and goalkeeper Hugo Ricondo has impressed down the stretch. Ricondo had a pair of top-drawer saves late to maintain the clean sheet against the Big Green, AOA's ninth of the fall and fifth straight. An uphill climb awaits in one of the best perennial D-III sides in the Buckeye State in Worthington Christian. The Warriors are 17-1-1 since Aug. 28, their lone losses in 2023 coming to Dayton Christian, a 14-win D-III district finalist, and Columbus Bexley, a 13-win D-II district finalist. In a 4-0 win over Waynesville in a state semi, Caleb Van Dop, Sammy Owusu-Sarfo, Ben Jende and Sam Blank found the back of the net. Owusu-Sarfo, a senior, leads the side with 28 goals and was named D-III Central District player of the year. He gets dependable complement from Jende (13-7), Eli Funderburke (12 goals), Max Glick (10-4) and Van Dop (8-9). This marks Worthington Christian's first state final berth since 2011, when it dispatched another News-Herald coverage area side in Hawken, 2-0. The Warriors were led on the touchline to their 2009 and 2011 title runs, as well as this state final run, by longtime coach Dan Roads. What will be of utmost importance for AOA as it navigates its biggest stage is handling nerves amid a tight match. The Phoenix are a side that has creative flair in reserve, particularly 1v1, but they must show the ability to connect and keep shape when the going gets tougher. Mensah and Nieto will need to lead the charge here as tone-setters in ballwinning, match dictation, drawing contact for restarts and service that springs their width and counter ambition. There are no secrets to AOA tactically. The challenge is containing it, of which the Warriors, with their pedigree and depth, are capable.
