Medina, Akron to meet for Class D lax title

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Blaire Prest (23) and his Mustang teammates will face Akron for the Section VI Class D lacrosse title on Wednesday at Williamsville North. He is shown here working against Akron’s Dominic Lettieri during an earlier season meeting at Vets Park.

Advancing to the finals for the first time in 15 years, No. 2 seed Medina will take on No. 1 defending champion Akron in the Section VI Class D lacrosse title game at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Williamsville North.

The victor will advance to the state playoffs.

Medina, which last played in the finals in 2003, dropped a pair of narrow overtime decisions (15-14, 20-19) to Akron during the regular season as the Tigers repeated as D Dvision champs with an 8-0 record.

“Akron is a tremendous team which is very well coached.  Their players are confident and are cool under pressure,” said Medina Coach Gordy Luthart.  “In our first two games there were 68 goals scored.  We expect another high scoring thriller.  We are going to do everything we can to keep it close and have a chance to win it at the end.  Western NY lacrosse fans are looking forward to this rematch.”

It will be the fourth postseason meeting between the teams and each of the previous three have been as close as this year’s two match ups. Akron has won all three by narrow scores of 7-6 in overtime in 2007, 14-11 in 2012 and 15-14 in overtime in 2013.

The Mustangs have featured a balanced attack this season led by the trio of Christian Silversmith (59 goals), Brendan Luthart (54) and Mason Lewis (49). Three other players have also hit double figures in goals including Zach Blount (19), DaRon Bellan (14) and Tim Roy (11). Luthart also has a team leading 45 assists, Lewis 37 and Blount 24.

Led by high scoring midfielder Owen Hill, Akron averages 17 goals per game which is tops in Western New York as Medina averages just over 13.

“A big key will be which team can come up with a few stops on defense,” said Luthart. “And which team can get some production off the bench.”

Medina has gone 1-1 in two previous sectional final appearances losing 15-2 to Gowanda in 2003 and winning 13-12 in overtime over Gowanda in 2002.