By Ben Stroup
An afternoon storm was about the only thing that could slow down Delaware Hayes’ Grant Godfrey, who earned medalist honors for the second straight time in league play during Wednesday’s third OCC-Capital Division showcase at Turnberry.
Despite the last group only getting through nine holes, results are official … and none were better than Godfrey’s. The senior’s 34 was good enough for top individual honors while New Albany’s combined 150 helped it improve to 21-0 in OCC action — a mark putting it firmly in first place in the team standings with one match to go.
Godfrey has been the most consistent player through three rounds, posting a medal-winning 72 last month at Darby Creek after finishing tied for second with a 76 at the league opener at Apple Valley.
Mount Vernon (154) finished second Wednesday while Orange (159), Big Walnut (164), Olentangy (164), Hayes (171) and Worthington Kilbourne (173) smoothed out the scoring summary.
Orange was led by Spencer Gifford’s 37 and Zach Mahon’s 40; Big Walnut was boosted by Austin Schone’s 40 and Michael Ford and Nick Dimitroff’s 41s; and Olentangy was sparked by Nick Scott’s 40 and Garrett Varanelli and Jake Gerard’s 41s.
Hayes’ second-best round belonged to David Kelly, who fired a 44.
OCC-Central Division No. 3
Cameron McCloskey carded a team-best 74 and Kyle Mitchell finished with a 75 to lead Liberty to a third-place showing during the third of four league matches Wednesday at Darby Creek.
Ronnie Foth and Trey Rath smoothed out the team’s top four with respective rounds of 78 and 79, accounting for the Patriots’ combined 306.
Upper Arlington took top honors with a 3oo while Central Crossing finished second with a 305.
BOYS SOCCER
Jonathan Alder started strong and finished stronger, pulling away for a 4-0 MOAC win over host Buckeye Valley Wednesday in Delaware.
Cameron Androw scored in the 12th minute and, after the Barons kept things close the rest of the first half, scored again early in the second to make it 2-0. The Pioneers added two more late to account for the final margin.
“They surprised us a bit with that first goal, but otherwise, the first half was even,” BV coach Eric Staley said. “Unfortunately, during the second half, we played some very undisciplined soccer … especially after the second goal.”
Alder finished with a 10-8 edge in shots on goal while Buckeye Valley’s Caleb King finished with six saves in the loss.
From Tuesday
Liberty started its quest for another OCC-Central Division championship in style, blanking visiting Central Crossing 6-0 Tuesday in Powell.
The Patriots scored all six of their goals in the first half, with Pham, Modiselle, Collins, Bean, Sayre and Happensack each finding the back of the net.
Liberty finished with a 12-3 edge in shots on goal.
Olentangy 1, Big Walnut 0
Corey Sweet’s second-half tally turned out to be the game’s only goal as the host Braves slipped past Big Walnut for an OCC-Capital Division win Tuesday in Lewis Center.
Also: Worthington Kilbourne 1, Hayes 0; Delaware Christian 5, Northridge 1.
VOLLEYBALL
Olentangy’s girls volleyball team picked up its third straight win and second consecutive in OCC-Capital Division action with a five-set win over host Orange Tuesday in Lewis Center.
The Braves (3-2, 2-0 OCC), who started the season 0-2, are officially rolling now. After opening league play with an impressive win over defending champ Big Walnut last week, they outlasted Orange 25-21, 18-25, 12-25, 25-18, 16-14 to hand the rival Pioneers (4-1, 1-1 OCC) their first loss of the young season.
“This was a huge five-set win,” Olentangy coach Michelle Mimna said. “We had to come from behind in each set, and were down 2-1 after getting our tails kicked in set three. The girls showed great poise and fight in this rivalry win.”
Olivia Margolies led the attack with 17 kills while Zoe Miller anchored the defense with 27 digs. Sophie Fritz was also solid for the Braves, finishing with 25 assists, while Lauren Judge chipped in five blocks and seven aces.
Jordan Gels led the Pioneers with a game-best 22 kills.
GIRLS SOCCER
Liberty cruised to a win in its OCC-Central Division opener, handling host Central Crossing 8-0 Tuesday evening.
Sarina Dirrig and Abby Jones sparked the offense, finishing with two goals apiece, while freshman keeper Riley Cartwright helped preserve the shutout with three saves in the Patriot goal.
Follow Ben Stroup on Twitter @delgazette_ben.