Watterson was aggressive from the opening kick, using a methodical build-up to constantly threaten Badin’s back line and keeper Cole Parr, who had allowed just nine goals all season and made several crucial saves in regulation.

“(Parr) stood on his head. My hat goes off to him,” Watterson coach Aaron Linden said. “I thought it should have been two in regulation, at least, but he played really, really well.”

Badin had several chances, but the Rams’ offense was hurt by the absence of Joe Jung, who sat out after picking up a red card in the regional semifinal. Whenever the Rams did make it into the attacking third, they were turned back by Alex Das, Davis, Eli Pham and Connor Adkins-Davidson.

Meacham had two golden chances in the final 15 minutes of regulation but was turned back by Parr both times. When he got the instructions for the game-winning free kick, the third time was a charm for his right foot.

“(Meachem) puts in great balls and I usually go front post,” Davis said. “It’s easy for me to read because we’ve played together for so long.”

The Eagles will face Aurora at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at Historic Crew Stadium.

–Brendan Connelly, Cincinnati Enquirer

Westerville Central’s unprecedented season ends with OT loss

As historic for both programs as a Division II state semifinal was at London, it was not a game for the statistically minded.

Neither Central nor Kings Mills Kings put a shot directly on net for the first 70:30, until Kings midfielder Sam Wik mustered a shot that was stopped by Warhawks goalie Bryan Ramirez.

A few free kicks were about the most action Ramirez got through the game’s first 109 minutes, and a leaping save to his left with a minute left in the second overtime looked like it might send the game to penalty kicks. But after Ramirez directed a shot wide off his outstretched left hand, Kings forward Kevin Cyrus headed in the winning goal off a corner at the 58.3-second mark to give the Knights a 1-0 victory.

“We settled in in the second half and played the way we practiced (and) are meant to play, moving the ball and getting guys forward,” Central coach Hunter Robertson said. “We just didn’t create enough chances. It just took too long for us to settle into the game. They played really well. Their style is aggressive and they play numbers forward.”

Central (14-5-3), which got three saves from Ramirez, was in its first state tournament.

Kings (15-2-4) will play Avon in the final at 1 p.m. Nov. 9 at Historic Crew Stadium. The Knights’ only previous trip to state, in 1995, ended in a semifinal loss.

“(Ramirez) made a heck of a save,” Cyrus said of the play that set up the corner. “I asked my other teammate, Royce Hawkins, to set a screen for me; that’s called ‘pickles’ (where) he sets a screen for me to get free and run to the near post,” Cyrus said. “Zach dropped it right to my head and I got it in the goal.”

Ramirez finished with three saves for Central, which upset defending state champion and OCC-Ohio rival New Albany 1-0 on Nov. 2 to win its first regional title.

“Our players are the ones that did this,” Robertson said. “I just tried to help them become the best versions of themselves.”

–Dave Purpura

Worthington Christian rolls into Division IV final

Max Glick, Colton Hoskinson and Nolan Schoonover scored in a 2:44 span of the first half, breaking open a Division IV state semifinal at Logan and sending Worthington Christian (18-3-2) past previously undefeated Wheelersburg (18-1-2) 3-0.

The Warriors outshot Wheelersburg 14-0 in the first half in reaching their third consecutive state final.

Worthington Christian will play Bay Village Bay in the final at 4 p.m. Nov. 9 at Historic Crew Stadium. The Warriors have been state runner-up each of the past two years, in Division IV last season and Division III in 2023, and are seeking their first championship since 2011.

–Dave Purpura

OHSAA boys soccer state semifinal scores

(All games Nov. 5)

Division I: Dublin Jerome 5, Cincinnati St. Xavier 0; Cleveland St. Ignatius 1, St. Charles 0

Division II: Kings Mills Kings 1, Westerville Central 0 (2OT); Avon 2, Brecksville-Broadview Heights 1 (OT)

Division III: Watterson 1, Hamilton Badin 0 (OT); Aurora 1, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 0(OT)

Division IV: Worthington Christian 3, Wheelersburg 0; Bay Village Bay 2, Cincinnati Wyoming 1 (2OT)

Division V: Cincinnati Summit Country Day 2, Fairbanks 1 (OT); Ottawa Hills 1, Kidron Central Christian 0

OHSAA boys soccer state final schedule

(All games at Historic Crew Stadium)

Division I: Dublin Jerome vs. Cleveland St. Ignatius, 7 p.m. Nov. 10

Division II: Avon vs. Kings Mills Kings, 1 p.m. Nov. 9

Division III: Watterson vs. Aurora, 7 p.m. Nov. 9

Division IV: Worthington Christian vs. Bay Village Bay, 4 p.m. Nov. 9

Division V: Cincinnati Summit Country Day vs. Ottawa Hills, 4 p.m. Nov. 10