Trinity lacrosse advances past defending state champion St. Xavier to reach KSLL final
Trinity High School is back in the Kentucky Scholastic Lacrosse League state final after outlasting five-time defending state champion St. Xavier, 11-5, in Wednesday's first KSLL boys semifinal at Trinity. The Shamrocks were led by senior Charlie Horner, who scored a game-high three goals in the win.
Trinity will face the winner of the Kentucky Country Day-South Oldham semifinal in Saturday's 11 a.m. state championship game. It will be the Shamrocks' fifth title game appearance in the last six seasons after falling to St. X, 13-6, in last year's semifinals.
"I'm feeling great," Trinity coach Pete Schroeder said. "Much better than I did at this time last year. Charlie Horner has been great at finishing the ball. He's kind of the last guy at the end of the play, he's had a great year. He's doing his job, he's done it all year long and he's been terrific."
After eliminating the Tigers — who have won 16 state championships, including the last five — Trinity has a chance to win its seventh state title Saturday on its home field. Wednesday's victory gave Trinity two wins over St. X in the same season for the first time since 2007. The two programs have met in the KSLL final 20 times in the last 23 years.
Next season, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association will begin sponsoring the lacrosse state championships.
"To get the last win in this league, that means a lot," Horner said. "Our names are going to be the first on the board for what everyone looks at in this league. To come out here and get a win against St. X, it's nice."
The Tigers were able to race out to a 5-0 lead in the first quarter before junior David Powers, senior Bryce Heitmann and junior Davis Mayer cut the deficit to three goals in second quarter. But that was as close as Trinity allowed the game to get. The Rocks slammed the door shut with five goals in the second half. While Horner scored back-to-back goals in the final two quarters, senior Ryan West and junior Logan Bryant ended the game with two goals apiece for the Rocks.
Heitmann led the Tigers with two goals.
Reach sports reporter Brooks Warren at bwarren@gannett.com and follow him on X at @Broookksss.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Trinity to play for Kentucky high school lacrosse state championship
