Today’s game
Who: Catholic Central (17-2-1) vs. Dayton Christian (15-2-2)
When: 7 p.m
Where: Fairborn High School
SPRINGFIELD — For the third straight season, the Catholic Central High School boys soccer team finds itself in the Division III regional semifinals.
This year, the seventh-ranked Irish (17-2-1), a state semifinalist last season, find themselves in an unfamiliar position — underdog.
They’ll face fourth-ranked Dayton Christian (15-2-2) in a regional semifinal at Fairborn High School at 7 p.m. today. The winner will face the victor of the Cincinnati Madeira and Cincinnati Summit Country Day game at Hamilton High School at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The teams met on Sept. 27, playing to a 1-1 tie. Since that game, Catholic Central has won 10 straight games while the Warriors have won eight straight.
“They’re by far the strongest team we’ve played all year,” said Irish coach Shane Latham. “They’ve played a very strong schedule.”
The Warriors have won all three tournament matches by at least seven goals, including an 8-0 victory over Yellow Springs last Saturday.
“They’re obviously playing very well right now, but I think we’re playing well, too,” Latham said.
Cedarville University recruit Christian Alexander, a senior, leads the Warriors with 27 goals and 21 assists. Senior forward Alex Lupinek has 13 goals and 14 assists. Midfielder Daniel Erlandson has already committed to D-I Lipscomb University.
In their 2-0 victory against Bethel last Saturday, the Irish held the Bees top scorers, Joe Zimmerman and Kyle Hamlin, scoreless. They combined for 68 goals during the regular season.
“We’re going to have to defend very well again,” Latham said, “which you’re always going to have to do in the last 16 (teams left).”
The Irish will also have to have more offensive production than they did in the 1-1 tie.
“We’re going to have to generate more attacks than we did when we played them the first time around,” Latham said. “We’re going to have to play at our highest level.”
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