LOGAN - Warren was hoping to tame the Bexley Lions but instead got whipped itself 3-0 in an Ohio Division 2 regional semifinal boys soccer match at Logan High's Chieftain Stadium on Halloween Wednesday night.
Adam Hirsch and Jacob Hodge each had a first-half goal to lead Greg Kullman-coached Bexley, which improved its record to 13-3-4. Will Gingery added a second-half goal to cap all the scoring in the match.
Bexley's masked keeper Sebastian Parra-Maya was credited with a clean sheet.
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Nick Kock
Andrew Johnson's Warren booters exit with a 14-3-4 overall mark. Last year, the Warriors bowed out 3-0 to Columbus St. Francis DeSales in a regional semi at Logan.
During the 16th minute of action in the opening half, a Warren defender was whistled for a handball outside the penalty area. On the ensuing direct kick, Bexley's Jacob Cini left-footed a boot that Warrior keeper Cody Stanley got a hand on the ball but didn't control.
Getting the rebound, Hirsch put the ball into the back of the net to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage.
Less than five minutes before the break, Bexley stretched its lead to 2-0, also the halftime advantage, on a score by Hodge.
During the 63rd minute of second-half action, Gingery beat Stanley with a shot, and the Lions owned a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Advancing to the Elite 8 regional final at noon Saturday at a pitch to be announced, Bexley is scheduled to play the Dover-Minerva winner.
Warren's 2012 season resume included a share of the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League title, a sectional championship and a repeat district crown.
During postseason play, the Warriors, who outscored the opposition 13-3, posted a 4-1 mark. Eli Duff led the squad with 17 goals, and Nick Koch, a two-time SEOAL Player of the Year, had 11 scores.
Ten Warren seniors played in what turned out to be their last prep royal blue and white varsity soccer match - Greyson Cantley, Nick Robinson, Ty Kroner, Evan Yabs, Adam Garlow, Sean Lofty, Zach West, Stanley, Duff, and Koch. Of those Warriors seniors, Koch, Kroner, Yabs, and Duff each were an all-league honoree.
Johnson was named Co-coach of the Year in the SEOAL.
