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ST. XAVIER BOMBERS ATHLETICS

ST. XAVIER BOMBERS ATHLETICS
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Post game graphic of regional semifinal win over Mason Comets

Lacrosse Jackson Huxel

Bombers take down gritty Comets to advance to regional Finals

The stage was set for a high-stakes postseason showdown as two of the region's most dominant programs prepared to battle for a spot in the regional finals. The Comets entered the contest riding the momentum of an extraordinary season, having absolutely controlled the Greater Miami Conference (GMC) to capture an undefeated conference title. Known for their disciplined perimeter passing and a gritty, resilient defensive structure, Mason looked to assert their regular-season perfection on the tournament stage. Across the field stood the Bombers, a program playing its best lacrosse of the year. Entering the matchup on a tear of recent dominance, the Bombers have outpaced opponents with a lethal, lightning-fast transition offense and a suffocating defensive ride that leaves rivals with no room to breathe. With the Comets putting their flawless conference reputation on the line against the Bombers' peak-form momentum, the semifinal promised an elite test of execution and willpower.

The Bombers opened the scoring five minutes into the first quarter with a fastbreak goal from senior Rowdy Scheer. Just a minute later, senior Spencer Stegbauer cut decisively to the right post, completing a clean catch-and-shoot to give the Bombers an early 2-0 lead.  The Comets looked to respond immediately by charging down the field, but Bombers senior goalkeeper Sam Carpenter thwarted the attack with his second save of the game on a hard-driven shot. Though the Comets maintained pressure—even dinging a subsequent shot off the post—Scheer collected the rebound and sped downfield in transition, feeding junior Nick Rongo to extend the Bombers' lead to 3-0.  

Seconds later, the Bombers showcased their offensive prowess once more. Junior Max Violet swiftly won the faceoff and found Stegbauer in transition; Stegbauer cut inside and fired a beautiful shot into the top-right corner for his second goal of the game, pushing the advantage to 4-0. With 2:58 remaining in the opening period, the Bombers swung the ball around the horn to senior August Betz, who converted a low, bouncing shot. Merely 30 seconds later, Stegbauer secured a first-quarter hat trick, executing a sharp spin dodge before unleashing a sidearm shot that slipped low between the keeper's legs.  Mason attempted to spark the Comets' offense with a low shot, but Carpenter dropped to his knees to make the snag. After a series of missed opportunities by the Bombers, Betz struck again with one minute left in the period, slashing down the 20-yard line to sneak a shot past the stick side of the keeper, capping a dominant 7-0 first quarter.  

The Bombers wasted no time extending their cushion in the second period. Winning the opening faceoff, driving straight down the center of the field to find Nick Rongo on the crease for his second goal of the game just seven seconds into the quarter. The Comets continued to struggle against the Bombers' defensive ride, turning the ball over and allowing senior Sean Deeley to capitalize with an easy transition goal. Dominating the faceoff circle, the Bombers forced a quick procedure call on the Comets, leading to a free transition opportunity that senior Ryder Munz buried from the right side of the crease to extend the lead to double digits at 10-0.  

The Comets finally broke into the scoring column after working the ball around the perimeter, finding senior Jacob Lupinski for a spectacular 25-yard strike to make it 10-1. Following a few missed targets by the Bombers, junior Chase Schinaman converted a rebound off the post from 20 yards out, casually bouncing the ball past the goalie to make it 11-1. Defensively, the Bombers turned up the heat, doubling the ball effectively to neutralize the Comets' transition game. When the Comets did manage to break loose, Carpenter stood tall, stopping a hard shot with his stick to log his fourth save of the half.  

Stegbauer continued to slice through the Comets' defense, scoring his fourth goal of the game on an off-hand shot that deflected in off the crossbar. Lupinski answered for the Comets with an acrobatic, diving goal to trim the deficit to 12-2 with 3:29 remaining in the half. The Comets pressed on, launching back-to-back shots in the final two minutes, and Lupinski secured his hat trick with 30 seconds left by spinning off a pick and firing from point-blank range past Carpenter, closing the gap to 12-3. However, the Bombers answered instantly. Pushing a rapid tempo right off the faceoff win, Munz executed a brilliant spin dodge and expertly tiptoed the crease to score, sending the Bombers into halftime with a commanding 13-3 lead.  

The Comets opened the second half with renewed energy, as junior Aidan Nyhuis netted his first goal of the match on a well-placed bounce shot past Carpenter early in the third quarter. The Bombers responded at the 8:50 mark when a precise feed found Schinaman for his second goal of the evening, restoring the 10-goal cushion. The Comets' keeper worked hard to keep the game within reach, turning away several close-range Bombers attempts.  
Lupinski continued his stellar individual performance for the Comets, tracking across the zone and executing a beautiful wraparound shot into the bottom-left corner. With 5:17 left in the third, Stegbauer logged his fifth goal of the game, finishing an unselfish pass from senior DJ Frazier, who had drawn a double-team.  

The Comets looked to capitalize on a rare mistake by the Bombers following a 30-second penalty. However, the advantage proved short-lived; the Bombers quickly forced a turnover, allowing Deeley to flip the ball to Stegbauer, who netted his sixth goal of the game with a powerful shot into the top-right corner. The play extended the Bombers' lead to 16-5 with 2:59 remaining in the third. Lupinski continued to find openings, scoring at the 2:08 mark to cut the deficit to 16-6. The Bombers answered back rapidly when Frazier drew the defense behind the net, delivering an easy feed across the crease to Deeley for his second goal of the contest, making it 17-6 heading into the final 12 minutes of play.  

The Bombers pushed the tempo early in the fourth quarter, but Comets senior goalkeeper Chase Harpold anchored the defense, turning away three consecutive shots to stifle the initial momentum. Munz eventually broke through, dodging past his defender from the right side of the goal and slipping a quick shot past Harpold for his third goal of the game to extend the lead to 12.  

Moments later, Munz struck again on a rapid transition play to secure his second goal of the period and push the score to 19-6. Seconds after the ensuing faceoff, sophomore Collin Richards added his name to the scoresheet, converting a quick opportunity on the crease to log the Bombers' 20th goal of the night. Despite the severe deficit, Lupinski refused to back down, fighting through heavy contact behind the net to score the Comets' seventh goal with two minutes left on the clock. Freshman Oscar Garza capped off the scoring for the Bombers, sealing a dominant offensive performance.  The Bombers look to keep their offensive prowess as they face their GCL rival Moeller Crusaders in the regional finals on Friday. 
 

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Players Mentioned

DJ Frazier

#1 DJ Frazier

M
Senior
Sean Deeley

#2 Sean Deeley

D
Senior
Max Violet

#5 Max Violet

M
Junior
Rowdy Scheer

#7 Rowdy Scheer

D
Senior
Nick Rongo

#8 Nick Rongo

A
Junior
Spencer Stegbauer

#12 Spencer Stegbauer

M
Senior
August Betz

#13 August Betz

M
Senior
Chase Schinaman

#16 Chase Schinaman

M
Junior
Ryder Munz

#21 Ryder Munz

M
Senior
Sam Carpenter

#23 Sam Carpenter

G
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

DJ Frazier

#1 DJ Frazier

Senior
M
Sean Deeley

#2 Sean Deeley

Senior
D
Max Violet

#5 Max Violet

Junior
M
Rowdy Scheer

#7 Rowdy Scheer

Senior
D
Nick Rongo

#8 Nick Rongo

Junior
A
Spencer Stegbauer

#12 Spencer Stegbauer

Senior
M
August Betz

#13 August Betz

Senior
M
Chase Schinaman

#16 Chase Schinaman

Junior
M
Ryder Munz

#21 Ryder Munz

Senior
M
Sam Carpenter

#23 Sam Carpenter

Sophomore
G

Scoreboard