Licking Valley lacrosse clicks in all facets in win against Johnstown

On Mar 19, 2023

HANOVER — The Licking Valley boys lacrosse team shot out to a 5-0 lead of Saturday’s season opener, but it was the defense that opened eyes.

Anchored by sophomore goaltender Cody Kochur, the Panthers allowed visiting Johnstown just one goal through the first three quarters. It led to a 9-3 victory at Randy Baughman Stadium under new coach Brody Camp.

“We try to push them to the outside and make them shoot from there because we have confidence in our goalie that he can save those shots, so all we have to do is keep them out of the middle and they don’t get to score,” senior Thomas Schneider said.

“Literally our entire defense being Cody Kochur our goalie, Addison Ross at defenseman, me at defenseman and also Brock Watson, we’re all linemen in football,” Schneider added. “It’s kind of just like repeating a season where we all just get to hit people, and we all love it.”

The last two months have been a crash course for Kochur, a first-year goaltender, who previously had been matched up with the opponent’s best scorer. So far, so good.

“I have always wanted to play goalie. It looks fun, and you get to support the team,” Kochur said. “I started about two months ago and just kind of worked in the offseason a little bit.”

It understandably took time for Johnstown to find its footing. Levi Jacob has moved into the head coaching role, replacing Steph Alley, who has been a fixture for the Johnnies the last decade, and a large portion of the Johnnies are underclassmen.

Freshman Ben Smith battled in goal. Classmates Anthony Bleas and A.J. Hollis and sophomores Grady Balog, Max Groves and Dominic Ortman were among those rotating into the lineup against Valley’s relentless attack to assist seniors Zack Shrewsberry and Graham Grinstead

“We are about 85% freshmen and sophomores and first-year players, and right now, we don’t have a feeder program,” Jacob said. “It was definitely our first game. We had three scrimmages and are learning a lot. There were some encouraging things, and we had some blips.”

Senior Gavin Conley scored two of the goals responsible for Valley’s quick offensive start in less than a 30-second span late in the first quarter. Conley’s classmates Daniel McNeal, Eli Kyle and Tanner Wilson also scored, but sophomores showed plenty of promise, too, with Evan Mox scoring twice and Connor Paul and Brady Wright once apiece.

“We have some great shooters,” Kochur said. “We have been emphasizing getting out early and throwing that extra punch.”

Junior McKaden Thomas got Johnstown on the board in the second quarter, and he scored again in the fourth quarter along with junior James Swick. Thomas’ second goal came after he and senior Blake Shaub, the Johnnies’ top two returning players, moved to the midfield, so they could assist the defensive unit, too.

That unselfishness will help Jacob as he attempts to rebuild the program. He and his younger brothers Isaia and Jaden, who are assisting him, all have had a hand in the Johnnies’ past, and they now can put a stamp on the present and future.

“They came to me in the fourth quarter and they were fresh and said, ‘Hey coach, can we go to middie and use our energy.’ They are wanting to make the best of it,” said Jacob, whose Johnnies host Buckeye Valley on Monday and Westerville North on Thursday. “If I can utilize them on offense or defense, I am going to try something.”

That present for Valley is bright. The Panthers have been working their way back up since graduating six seniors in 2021.

Valley will be busy early. The Panthers host Newark on Monday, Granville on Wednesday and Jonathan Alder on Friday.

“We’ve made huge improvements, and of course, we are having lots of fun,” Kochur said. “That’s a huge difference. We are more of a family this year because of our great coaches. We beat a good Johnstown team. They have improved a lot from last year.”