ST. CHARLES — Eureka's magic ride ended with a thud Saturday against Rockhurst in the Missouri Scholastic Lacrosse Division I boys championship game at Lindenwood.
Rockhurst (17-0) broke the game open with goals 11 seconds apart midway through the third to grab a 6-3 lead, then hung on to earn the school's fourth state lacrosse title with an 8-6 victory.
"That's what it came down to, execution," Eureka coach Jon Silva said. "We got some looks, hit the goalie a couple times and hit the post. That's the way it goes sometimes."
Ryan Gardner scored three goals for Eureka (10-4) and Matt Vollmer added two.
Eureka was an also ran in Division II just two seasons ago, but the Wildcats followed up a runner-up finish in Division II last season with a runner-up finish in Division I this season. Eureka was the first public school to compete in the Division I title game since 1999.
"It's great to see them respond and develop over the past two years," Silva said. "We really had a lot of work in the summer …it really helped grow the program, and we'll continue to do that."
Rockhurst jumped on top just 25 seconds in on a goal by Nick Julian.
Eureka evened it up with a goal by Vollmer midway through the first, but Rockhurst regained the lead just eight seconds later. Eureka tied it three minutes later with a goal by Henry Tellini.
Charlie Ferber scored twice for Rockhurst and Vollmer added another for Eureka as Rockhurst led 4-3 at halftime.
Eureka goalkeeper Anthony Paschke made 12 saves in the first half and had 17 for the game.
LADUE WINS DIVISION II TITLE
Ladue cruised past Clayton 14-6 in the Division II championship.
Ladue (14-1) took control after trailing 3-2 after the first quarter. The Rams outscored Clayton 12-4 from the second quarter on.
"We just told our kids to keep their composure," Ladue coach Jason Fauss said. "We've been down at the end of the first quarter in other games this year and managed to come back and win those games. We knew that over four quarters we could be the better team and come out ahead."
Ladue's Cameron Millstone scored four goals and was named Division II MVP. Jack Rohan scored three goals and goalkeeper Thomas Deane made 11 saves.
Gabe Nicolazzi and Sam Muslin each scored twice for Clayton (12-4).
It is the first state lacrosse title for Ladue.
