Men’s soccer continues deep tournament run
The McNicholas Rockets Men’s Soccer team entered the district final of the 2018 OHSAA Boys Soccer State Championship as the underdog to the Alter Knights. As Region Eight’s six seed, the Rockets took on the top seeded Knights at Mason High School on Thursday, October 25.
The Launch Pad turned out to witness what would end up being a defensive battle which played out late into the night. As regulation and extra time came to an end, the score was still knotted up at zero. This meant the fate of the two teams would be decided with a series of penalty kicks.
“It was nerve wracking the whole game; It was such a good game,” senior Miranda Taylor said. Before penalties, Rockets in the student section came together in a moment of unity. Senior Michael Fehr said, “Before PKs, the whole student section huddled up together and said the Hail Mary.”
The Rockets and Knights matched each other goal for goal without a miss. That is, until Rocket senior goalkeeper, Nate Chambers made the diving save that would capture the district championship and put the Rockets through to the next round. “It was insane,” Chambers said, “I think it’s our year.”
Reacting to the clutch performance by the Rocket goalkeeper, senior Tori Gould said, “I was so proud of Nate. He worked so hard for it. He did so good.”
Immediately following the District-clinching save, the team ran to Chambers, and the celebration began. Senior TJ Schimpf led the Launch Pad in joining the team by storming the field.
Senior forward Caleb Tenkman said, “TJ hugged me and threw me to the ground. Running to Chambers and the pile was pretty cool too. It was a moment I’ll never forget.”
“I wasn’t thinking about anything. It was the coolest thing of all time,” senior defender Sam Durm said.
“Definitely one of the highlights of senior year so far,” senior Julia Straub said.
Senior defender Daniel English said he hopes many make to their next game on Oct. 31 when the Rockets take on the third seeded Bexley Lions in London, Ohio, at 7 p.m.
Click this link to see a Video/photo montage from the game courtesy of Jeff Hutchinson-Smyth
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Women’s Volleyball becomes second fall team to win district championship
Just two days after the Men’s Soccer Team took down Alter in the district final, the Women’s Volleyball Team did the same by winning in straight sets. Senior Sarah Snyder served on the match point securing the win. The Rockets look to continue their winning streak as they take on the Fenwick Falcons on Thursday, November 1 at 6 p.m. at Butler High School.
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Cross Country and women’s soccer seasons come to a close
McNicholas Cross Country runners competed in the Southwest Regional Championships at Troy Memorial Stadium in Troy, Ohio, on Sat. Oct. 27. The men’s team placed 12th and Grace Rosenbaum placed 55th out of 99 competitors with a time of 21.35.65.
Junior Ian Burt said, “It was a really great experience just being in Troy, which is the most mind-numbing course in the world for runners but the coolest spectator courses around.” Burt added that the day didn’t necessarily begin positively. “Our coach’s car broke down on the way, so we had to fend for ourselves and get the coach’s packet in order to race; he didn’t show up until we were on the start line, actually.” Despite not moving on to the next round, the day was not lost. “It was the most people I’ve ever seen at a cross country meet; I’d estimate a few thousand people showed up, and they were all very passionate,” Burt said.
McNick Women’s Soccer came to a close on October 23 in a 3-0 loss to Indian Hill. The team finished with a record of 1-9-2 at home and 1-7-1 away.
The McNicholas Milestone 