Despite registering one of the more exciting wins in recent program history the week prior, the Gilmour Academy boys lacrosse team did not rest on its laurels as it tallied its second straight postseason upset last week.
Coming off an 8-7 win at second-seeded University School in the OHSAA Regional Quarterfinals, the Lancers posted a 14-6 victory at third-seeded Kenston High School in the regional semifinal round.
With the win, Gilmour advanced to a regional final—the state's "Elite Eight"—for the first time since the OHSAA began officially sponsoring the sport.
Kenston got out of the gates quickly in the early going, taking a 2-0 lead just a couple minutes into the contest. From that point on though, it was nearly all Gilmour.
The Lancers rallied to take a 4-3 lead after the first quarter and had pushed their lead to three goals by halftime (7-4).
Still leading by three near the midpoint of the third quarter, Gilmour put the game away by scoring six consecutive goals spanning the third and fourth quarters.
After the final horn, the Lancer squad sprinted over to the visiting bleachers, which featured a jubilant GA contingent that had been boisterous in its support of Gilmour throughout the game.
Tanyon Bajzer '21 had a team-high four goals in the semifinal win while Cam Bajzer '22, Dylan Dekoe '21 and Shea Hofstrom '22 each scored twice.
Nate Dowling '22, Nick Larrabee '21, Luke Radke '23 and Connor Underwood '22 each added a goal as well. Kessel Richards '21 played well in between the posts, making a couple of important stops early in the game while Gilmour was still finding its footing.
Gilmour's magical postseason run would come to an end in the regional final when it dropped a 16-8 decision at top-seed Chagrin Falls High School. Tanyon Bajzer again led GA offensively, scoring four goals in his final appearance as a Lancer. His brother, Cam, scored twice while Dowling and Robby Belknap '21 each scored once.
Nevertheless, the Lancers collected 11 wins during the campaign, the highest total during head coach Jim Scully's tenure.
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