Bexley — The Bexley Lions know this territory all too well. Their playoff nemesis, Bloom-Carroll, has ended their postseason hopes two years running including a 7-0 rout last season. Heading into Tuesday, their mission is clear: beat Bloom-Carroll.
“We play them every year, so we know exactly what they are going to do,” head coach Scott James said. “We’ve been preparing all season for this. They beat us 7-0 last year, our motivation is 7-0.”
The stage for their biggest game was set by Thursday’s win over Bishop Hartley in the Division III state playoffs, a rematch of the Lions’ 2-0 victory against the Hawks just a few weeks earlier.
Junior Mallory Lowe put Bexley on the board in the 14th minute with her seventh goal of the season, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead they carried into halftime. Despite facing constant pressure, Hartley goalkeeper Naomi Sokari stood strong, keeping the Hawks within striking distance.
Just like in their first meeting, the Lions dominated Hartley with a relentless offensive attack, constantly applying pressure and creating scoring chances. On the defensive end, they stayed locked in on Jayonna Harris, whose speed and off-ball movement can break through any defense.
“It helped playing her (Harris) before, so we had a bunch of film on her,” James explained about preparing for Jayonna Harris. “We focused on containing her speed at all times. We have a great back line led by Avery George, a Louisville commit, and it helped a ton.”
Just minutes into the second half, freshman standout Georgia Buddendeck extended Bexley’s lead to 2-0, seemingly putting the game out of reach for Hartley. The goal marked her ninth of the season and the first playoff goal of her young career.
Lowe sealed the victory in the 62nd minute, completing a brace and putting the finishing touch on a 3-0 Bexley win over Bishop Hartley in the Division III girls soccer state playoffs. The goal was her eighth of the season, while goalkeeper Katherine Garrett recorded four saves.
With the final whistle, all attention shifts to Bloom-Carroll, who will travel to Bexley on Tuesday for the teams’ third consecutive playoff meeting. This year’s Lions squad features a balanced blend of senior leadership and emerging young talent.
Every challenge they’ve faced this year has led to this moment: Tuesday’s showdown with Bloom-Carroll.
“I think it helps having that senior leadership, but also our junior class has been a leadership class. Our biggest strength is our connectivity,” James said. “We are so good at being for each other, loving each other, and play for each other. Our junior and senior class helps out big time.”
D-III Girls Soccer Bracket
With Bexley’s win over Bishop Hartley, they play against Bloom-Carroll on Tuesday at 7 PM. On the other side, St. Francis DeSales knocked off Jonathan Alder 3-2 to advance to the semifinals against top seeded Granville.
Tuesday’s winners will play next Saturday at Westerville North with a 6 PM kickoff for the district championship. The district champion will host a Northwest district champion on October 28th in the regional tournament.
270-315 Sports 
Leave a comment