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Mo:ife~ fcSZ~ 0xford Talawanda, 6-3 A:]. Crouch scored two goals in leading Moeller to a 6-3 victory over Oxford Talawanda in the semifinals of the Southwest Ohio Hockey League tournament at the Kettering Ice Rink. The Crusaders meet Centerville
today (12:15 p.m.) for the championship at Miami University. Moeller has lost to the Elks three times this season by scores of 2-1, 4-3 and 6-5. Moeller 6, Talawanda 3 Goals: M-Crouch 2, Godar, Fiamengo, Sonderman, Raymar. T-Ingham, Dierker 2. Records: M 16-8.
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,Crusaders can't break ice BY DAVE SCHUTTE Enquirer Contributor
OXFORD, Ohio - Matt Godar's frustration level peaked to an all-time high Monday at Miami University's Goggin Ice Arena. "This is the fifth time this season that Centerville has beaten us," said Godar, a senior forward for the Moeller ice hockey team. "They seem to know what it takes to win." In a wide open game, Centerville used two goals each from Jacob Close, Jon Meintel and Ron Markstrom to hand the Crusaders an 8-5 setback in the championship game of the Southwest Hockey League tournament. The setback to the Elks was tough on Moeller co-coach Rob
Lubanski, who has teamed with John Basalyga the past eight seasons at the helm of the Crusaders.
team leader who has 46 goals in 25 games, scored once and added four assists in the loss to the Elks.
each week while playing in up to three leagues throughout the year.
"Like any sport, talent levels come-and-go every season," Lubanski said. "But, this year's team was expected to do well and this was a disap-
"They kept holding to slow me down," Godar said. "But this happens against all the teams in the league. I do much better against the teams outside the league that don't know me."
Steve Fiamingo is another路 Moeller standout scorer. He scored two goals and adrled two assists but it was a threegoal spurt in the final 1:36 of the second period that doomed Moeller.
pointm~>nt."
A club sport not sanctioned by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, Moeller draws students from Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky who have interest in playing ice hockey .. "We've made great strides and interest in hockey is high," Lubanski said. "There were 40 who tried out and this is the first season we've had a reserve team." Godar, the acknowledged
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It is easy to understand why Godar stands out on the ice. "My mother (Donna Hinterlong) was a figure skater and she got me into skating when I was two-years-old," Godar said. "My Dad (Dave) is a hockey nut and always attended Cincinnati Swords games years ago." With this background, Godar grew up with skates, hanging around Northhmd Ice Rink
"We have two freshman and two sophomores playing defense,'' Lubanski said. "Centerville took advantage of 路 that.'' Moeller has eight more regular season games remaining before the state tournament. If the Crusaders tighten their defense, they appear to have the offense to win it all.
The Cincinnati Enquirer/Michael Snyder
Moeller's Matt Godar (right) maneuvers around a Centerville defender.