Centerville boys soccer advances to state championship game

Centerville's Jack Drabenstott (7), Drew Boettcher (10) and Drew Gaydosh celebreate a Drabenstott goal in Saturday's regional final win over St. Xavier. Drabenstott scored two goals and Boettcher added a goal in the Elks' 3-1 win Wednesday over Dublin Jerome in the state semifinals. CONTRIBUTED

Centerville's Jack Drabenstott (7), Drew Boettcher (10) and Drew Gaydosh celebreate a Drabenstott goal in Saturday's regional final win over St. Xavier. Drabenstott scored two goals and Boettcher added a goal in the Elks' 3-1 win Wednesday over Dublin Jerome in the state semifinals. CONTRIBUTED

The Centerville boys soccer team is one win away from a Division I state championship.

The Elks defeated Dublin Jerome 3-1 on Wednesday night in the semifinals at Chillicothe’s Zane Trace High School Athletic Complex to advance to Saturday’s title match.

Centerville senior Jack Drabenstott broke a 1-all tie with a goal with 8:35 to play then put the game away with another goal four minutes later. Centerville (20-1-1) took a 1-0 lead in the first half on Drew Boettcher’s goal. Jerome (12-8-1) then tied the game with about 13 minutes to play.

In the state championship match, Centerville will face Cleveland St. Ignatius (20-0-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Lower.com Field, the home of the Columbus Crew. St. Ignatius has won nine state titles since 2000 and is the top-ranked team in the nation. The Elks are the winningest program in Ohio history, boys or girls. Centerville’s lone title came in 1984.

Tickets for the title match will go on sale today at ohsaa.org/tickets, according to Centerville Athletic Director Rob Dement.

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