Walsh Jesuit bows out of OHSAA Division II boys lacrosse tournament in regional semifinal
The Walsh Jesuit boys lacrosse team experienced an off night Monday in a Division II regional semifinal at Conway Stadium.
“Sometimes things don’t go the way you want them to go,” WJ coach George Wright said after Toledo St. John’s Jesuit won 10-0.
Wright’s assessment was honest as WJ (14-6) bowed out of the tournament in a regional semifinal for the second time in three seasons.
The lopsided result was a surprise after St. John’s edged Walsh 3-2 in a regular-season game at Bowling Green State University.
“It didn’t help that one of our best defensive players [Joe Holtzer] was not available today, but overall they made some really nice shots,” Wright said. “They had a new game plan for us and they were ready to go [for coach Andy Smith]. We were a little bit sloppy with our communication.”
Holtzer, a senior, is a Denison recruit.
“Joe is the defensemen of the year in Division II, Region 5,” Wright said.
Walsh senior attacker Ryan Holcomb and senior midfielder Cooper Kirda are also set to play college lacrosse at Baldwin Wallace and Capital, respectively.
Boys lacrosse article from 2015: Walsh Jesuit names George Wright its boys lacrosse coach
Alexander Speer leads St. John’s Jesuit to regional semifinal win
Sophomore attacker Alexander Speer led St. John’s (13-6) with four goals and one assist and junior goalkeeper Ian Horner recorded a shutout.
Titans seniors Anthony Brohl and Tyler Meader netted two goals apiece and seniors Zachary Zitkovic and Quinn Staten each had a goal.
Eight seniors lead Walsh Jesuit to regional semifinal
Wright credited Holtzer, Holcomb, Kirda, Dominic Bellini, Jack Fudo, Tim Klug, Paul Kropf and Dan Jarosewich for their senior leadership as Walsh topped CVCA and Wooster in the tournament.
“These eight seniors were awesome,” Wright said. “A lot of these guys have been playing varsity since 2021, their sophomore year after COVID. That was a really good team in 2021. Joe, Cooper, Ryan, all of those guys have made great contributions for us. They are talented and they work hard. There is a reason that Joe, Cooper and Ryan are playing in college and are captains.
“The whole senior class, top to bottom, is a great group of hard workers. Going to back to workouts as freshmen before the pandemic, they were guys that wanted to be competitive and get better every single day.
“... Tim Klug led us in points this season [with 67 on 33 goals and 34 assists], Ryan Holcomb led us in goals [with 45 goals and 16 assists], Cooper Kirda led our midfield in points [with 52 on 37 goals and 15 assists] and Joe Holtzer led us in takeaways [with 39 caused turnovers]. Paul Kropf was selected as the goalie of the year in Division II, Region 5."
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Walsh Jesuit bows out of OHSAA Division II boys lacrosse tournament
