Lacrosse | 6/2/2026 2:14:00 PM
Two of the state's most dominant boys lacrosse programs are set to collide Wednesday night, bringing a contrast of tactical blueprints to a stage where a trip to the state championship game is on the line.
The top-seeded St. Xavier Bombers will face off against the top-seeded Upper Arlington Bears in an OHSAA Division I state semifinal matchup at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The winner will punch their ticket to Historic Crew Stadium for the state final on Saturday.
Both powerhouse programs navigated rigorous regional brackets to reach the Final Four, setting up a heavyweight bout that will be dictated by star power, depth, and a battle for tempo.
The Road to the Final Four
The Bombers (Region 4) have been an absolute juggernaut throughout the postseason, outscoring their tournament opponents by a staggering margin. After a dominant 19-4 victory over Lakota West in the district finals, St. Xavier cruised past Mason 21-7 in the regional semifinals.They secured their Final Four berth on Friday with a commanding 18-5 victory over rival Archbishop Moeller in the Region 4 championship, proving that their high-octane offense can dismantle even the most disciplined defenses.
Upper Arlington Bears
The Bears (Region 3) have paired a clinical offense with a suffocating defensive unit during their tournament run. Upper Arlington opened eyes with a 22-4 dismantling of Hilliard Darby in the district final, followed by a hard-fought 15-8 win over St. Charles in the regional semifinals. In the Region 3 final, the Bears put on a defensive masterclass, shutting down a potent New Albany attack in a decisive 13-4 victory to lock in their spot in the state semifinal.
Keys to the Game
For St. Xavier: Unleash Stegbauer, Lean on Scheer, and Utilize Depth
The Bombers' path to victory relies on maximizing their premier talent while wearing down the Bears. Offensively, St. Xavier must play through the offensive dominance of Spencer Stegbauer. Stegbauer's ability to manipulate match ups, draw slides, and finish inside will be the focal point of the attack. To complement Stegbauer's offensive production, the Bombers must utilize their overall roster depth to continuously cycle midfielders, stretch the field, and create the open space necessary for clean dodges. Defensively, Rowdy Scheer must continue to bring his signature aggressive edge. As the anchor of the defensive unit, Scheer's physical on-ball pressure will be paramount in disrupting Upper Arlington's ball movement and preventing high-percentage interior opportunities.
For Upper Arlington: Disrupt the Rhythm, Dictate Tempo, and Own the Turf
Upper Arlington's game plan centers on making the Bombers uncomfortable. To neutralize St. Xavier's explosive dodgers, the Bears' defense must play aggressively on the hands of the ball-carrier, disrupting timing and preventing quick, downhill dodges into the fan. Slowing the game down to a deliberate, methodical pace will favor Upper Arlington's style and keep the Bombers from establishing a dangerous transition game. Finally, the Bears must win the gritty elements of the match up: controlling the face off X and dominating the ground-ball battle to limit St. Xavier's total offensive possessions.
