COLUMBUS, Ohio — Two central Ohio field hockey programs are headed to the state tournament after a pair of 1-0 regional-final wins on Saturday, October 31 — Upper Arlington dethroned four-time defending state champion Thomas Worthington, and Columbus Academy edged Watterson to reach the state semifinals for the first time since 2020, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
Upper Arlington won its third straight regional title at Olentangy Liberty, The Columbus Dispatch reported, using a second-quarter goal from sophomore midfielder Charlie Rogers and a defense that shut out the Cardinals. Rogers slid a shot to the left of Thomas Worthington senior goalie Mae Conroy with 10 minutes left in the first half — the game’s only goal.
Rogers told The Columbus Dispatch the goal grew out of the Bears’ midfield work: Vivian Swary and Sloane Bunker combined in the middle and sent the ball through so she could get the shot off. Rogers also scored the game-winning goal in UA’s 2-0 regional semifinal win at New Albany on October 28, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
The defensive plan centered on Thomas Worthington’s leading scorer, sophomore forward Camryn Spears. Junior Sloane Bunker, a Miami University commit, helped limit the Cardinals (15-4-2) to four shots on goal, The Columbus Dispatch reported. Bunker told The Columbus Dispatch the Bears wanted high pressure and interceptions against a team that plays with numbers behind the ball, and that she focused on playing tight defense on Spears. Conroy and UA sophomore goalie Peyton Garvey each made four saves.
The final was also a rematch with history on both sides. The Columbus Dispatch noted it replayed last year’s state championship game, which Thomas Worthington won 3-1, and the teams’ only meeting since — a 1-0 Thomas win on September 9 in a game shortened to three quarters by rain and lightning. UA coach Homero Pardi told The Columbus Dispatch his team had to finish the opportunity left over from that September night, describing a plan built on pressure, physical play and speed up front.
In the second regional final, Columbus Academy (17-2-1) broke through late against Watterson (13-8). Senior midfielder and forward Katie Neviaser, a Georgetown commit, put a shot past Eagles goalie Emme Bennett 1:22 into the fourth quarter for the only goal, The Columbus Dispatch reported. Academy senior goalie Lila Parish made 14 saves, and Bennett stopped seven shots.
The breakthrough followed a scoreless sequence that nearly broke Academy’s way a quarter earlier. The Columbus Dispatch reported the Vikings could not convert on five corners at the end of the third quarter — four of them after the clock hit 0:00, since quarters cannot end on corners. Neviaser told The Columbus Dispatch those corners still gave Academy a read on Watterson’s defense that the team used to adjust at halftime and plan its next chances.
Academy coach Jacque DeMarco told The Columbus Dispatch the win was gutsy rather than pretty, saying her team prefers to pass and play clean hockey but had prepared all week for a tough, physical Watterson side. The numbers back up the Vikings’ form: The Columbus Dispatch reported Academy has won 11 straight games dating to September 23, nine of them by shutout, outscoring opponents 42-4 in that span.
The state picture is now set, and it guarantees a new champion. Upper Arlington (15-5-1) faces Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame (15-6) in the first state semifinal at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, November 5, at Thomas Worthington, followed by Columbus Academy against undefeated Shaker Heights (20-0-1) at 7 p.m., according to The Columbus Dispatch. The winners meet in the state final at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 7.
Central Ohio’s fall tournament weekend is running across sports — Friday’s football playoff openers included DeSales rolling past Watkins Memorial 56-14 and Olentangy Orange rallying from 19-0 down to stun St. Charles 29-26.
What we know — and what we’re still waiting on
What we know: both regional finals finished 1-0 on Saturday; Rogers scored UA’s winner in the second quarter and Neviaser scored Academy’s early in the fourth; and the state semifinals are Thursday, November 5, at Thomas Worthington, with the final November 7. What we’re still waiting on: official OHSAA semifinal ticketing and any schedule changes for Thursday’s doubleheader, which the schools will post this week.
What happens next: Upper Arlington gets three days to prepare for Mount Notre Dame, and Columbus Academy draws the tournament’s only unbeaten team in Shaker Heights. One of the two central Ohio programs is guaranteed nothing beyond Thursday — but for the first time in this tournament, the defending champion will be watching from home.
Photo: BPaulLucas, CC BY-SA 3.0