By Greg Billing for the Dayton Daily News

DUBLIN | Carroll's boys soccer team played Columbus Bexley like few teams have this season. Unfortunately for the Patriots, they couldn't match what only one team has done against the Lions.

Bexley dealt Carroll its third-straight state semifinal loss on Tuesday, a 2-1 defeat in front of about 800 spectators at Coffman Stadium in Dublin. The Patriots, who lost to Bexley in the 2003 semifinals across town at Dublin Scioto High School, lost all three games by one goal each.

"There's nothing you can tell them to make them feel better," Carroll coach Scott Molfenter said. "We accomplished what a lot of teams couldn't."

Carroll was the only 2004 Division II semifinalist to make it back this year, and one of four teams to hold Bexley's high-powered attack to two goals or less. Still, Carroll (20-2) wanted to join Gahanna Lincoln as the only teams to beat Bexley (18-1-3) this season.

Bexley appeared more comfortable early playing in its backyard and on the same synthetic turf that covers its home field.

But Carroll surprised Bexley by taking a 1-0 lead just 3:27 into the game. Jeff Popella ripped John Laurin's pass to the low right corner about 10-yards out. Bexley countered nine minutes later when Emanuel Harris, the fastest player on the field, turned and fired a 10-yarder across goal and into the left corner. It stayed that way until 36:35 remained in the game. Max Stan's midfield boot landed about 8 yards in front of the goal and Ayodele Adedapo finessed it in with his one-touch play.

Carroll had quality opportunities but couldn't get a shot past freshman keeper Michael Prout. The Patriots had three quality shots in the final 18 minutes but Prout saved two and a defender headed away a third.

"I think he's a sophomore now," said Bexley coach Jim Daugherty. "Carroll, hats off to them. They put the pressure on us tonight."

Patriots keeper Steve Boehmer also denied Bexley a handful of times. Among his highlights, Boehmer made a diving deflection in the first half and chased down a header that got behind him to swipe away the certain goal with 2 yards to spare. Kofi Sarkodie also saved a goal with his foot block on the line and cleared it.

"To get up here a third year against a Central team and on a surface we're not familiar with, I thought our kids showed a lot of heart," said Molfenter, whose team had played on a similar surface three times this season and practiced on it Monday at Monroe.

Unofficially, both teams took 11 shots. Bexley took just two in the second half as the Lions stayed back on defense, preventing Carroll from making strong runs at goal.

Bexley will play either D-III defending champion Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy or Bay Village Bay in the state final at 11 a.m. Saturday at Columbus Crew Stadium.

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