MASON − Making its first appearance in the OHSAA state Final Four, Springboro girls lacrosse saw a historic season come to an end after an 18-5 loss to Upper Arlington in the Division I state semifinals at Mason High School Tuesday, June 2.
Springboro’s season ends at 16-6 overall. The Panthers were coming off a dramatic 12-11 victory over Kings to win the program’s first regional championship.
Springboro then had a perennial Ohio lacrosse power waiting for them in Mason.
“They should be proud of the season,” Springboro head coach Jamie Ling said. “We knew that they’re (Upper Arlington) what everyone is compared to and our first time here, there might’ve been some jitters. They’re a good team and there’s a reason they’re the best team in the Midwest.”
Upper Arlington (22-1), a four-time state champion, continues its semifinal success against Greater Cincinnati programs. The Golden Bears knocked out Sycamore in the same round in 2022, 2023 and 2025. They also beat Kings in 2024.
“We really play on playing for each other and believing in each other,” Upper Arlington head coach Megan Sengelmann said. “It shows in our offense with having seven different goal-scorers per game this season. Our defense, averaging under five goals a game this season. We’ve really played with that team mentality and it really shined today.”
Springboro got an early goal from Brogan Miracle and another from Mady Burns off a nice feed by Grace Dresher to cut Upper Arlington’s lead to 3-2 over halfway through the first quarter. Upper Arlington’s high-powered offense then found its footing, scoring four straight goals to end the opening stanza, including a trio by senior midfielder and Clemson signee Evie Ruma.
The Golden Bears added on from there, holding Springboro scoreless over the final 11 minutes of the first half after a goal by Cam Walters. It was fueled by tremendous play in the net by junior goalie Tori Maurer, who thwarted multiple Springboro shot attempts.
“She’s (Maurer) been starting with us since she was a freshman. She’s looked at me like, ‘this is everything to me,'” Sengelmann said. “She played like it tonight.”
Upper Arlington’s 6-0 run ignited the running clock after Ella Smith knifed through the Springboro defense in the waning seconds of the first half for her second goal of the night.
Ruma had a game-high five goals for Upper Arlington while Claire Aimes and Rylan Clark each scored four times.
Springboro senior Ashley Filburn, who scored five goals in the regional championship win over Kings, notched her team-high 76th goal of the season in the third period.
Senior sendoff
Springboro’s seniors were Ari Lietzow, Maeley Rohe, Kinsley Brown, Paige Gutmann, Mady Burns, Ashley Filburn and Lauren Kolb.
“No one wanted to get over that hump more than them (seniors),” Ling said. “We’re gonna miss them.”
Over the last four years, Springboro went a combined 61-24 with three Greater Western Ohio Conference titles, just one conference loss, two No. 1 seeds in the postseason, four trips to the regional semifinals and this spring’s regional championship.
“Springboro is, from the youth (program) and up, a growing program and there’s a lot of pride in the girls program,” Ling said. “We’ve been good. We just haven’t been able to make the next step. This year we were able to and hopefully when we’re back in this spot next year, we’re better prepared.”
Another DI state championship rematch between Upper Arlington-Olentangy Liberty
Upper Arlington advances to the Division I state championship game for the fifth consecutive season, and they’ll see a familiar opponent. The Golden Bears will face Ohio Capital Conference-rival Powell Olentangy Liberty in the finals for the fourth consecutive season on Sunday, June 7, at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus.
Olentangy Liberty trailed Hudson, 8-4, midway through the third quarter in the state semifinals Tuesday but rallied to tie it in the final half-minute of regulation before a 9-8 overtime win.
Upper Arlington won its last state championship in 2023 with a 14-10 win over Olentangy Liberty. Olentangy Liberty returned the favor the next two seasons, winning 6-5 in 2024 and 9-8 in double overtime in 2025.
“It’s always great to be at the top of the mountain, but we always say to look around and enjoy it,” Sengelmann said. “You just have to lean into this season because we’re one of the two best teams in the state. Why not have fun and play our best game?”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Springboro girls lacrosse falls to Upper Arlington in state semifinals