If Morgan Ransom was upset, she didn't show it. The Columbus Academy girls golfer made the walk from the No. 18 green at Ohio State University Golf Club's Gray Course to the scorers table. Ransom, who was surrounded by friends, family and teammates, knew when she tapped in for par at the last hole that she was two strokes shy of the Division II state tournament individual title.

For the second consecutive season, Ransom finished runner-up. Last Saturday, she had a two-day total of 7-over par 147 behind Pemberville Eastwood's Alyssa Shimel at 5-over par 145.

"I prepared all summer and (fall) season to return," Ransom said. "I did my best. Obviously, I would have liked to win, but I'm happy with how I played."

Ransom and Shimel entered last Saturday's second and final round tied at 3-over par. Both players shot a 2-over 37 on the front nine to set up a 9-hole dual on the back nine.

"I started off the round 3-over and I pride myself in making it back in the match," Ransom said. "It was an emotional back nine."

On Nos. 12 and 17, Ransom three-putted for bogeys while Shimel birdied No. 15 to remain at even par on the back nine.

"It was definitely nerve-racking," said Shimel, who will continue her career at Michigan. "I just told myself to hit the best shot I could. I could do nothing to affect if Morgan had a good or bad shot. I just had to play my game. I've worked hard on my short game and it came through today. I hit key putts in the end that really helped."

Ransom's regular season teammates, the Vikings' boys team, were playing at the same time. Academy finished 11th (717) at the Division III state boys golf tournament won by Minster (654) at Ohio State University Golf Club's Scarlet Course .

R.J. Winters led Academy with a two-day total of 169.

The Vikings have six state titles for the second-most in the state, behind Upper Arlington's 17. While Academy's finish was less than desired, coach Steve Evans was pleased his team got to experience the state tournament.

"We're disappointed with the way we played, but I told them to get here is an amazing accomplishment," Evans said. "They shouldn't take this for granted, but instead really appreciate to be able to play an extremely challenging golf course. Get something positive out of this experience and treasure it."

•The football team's quest for at least a share of the MSL-Ohio title has two weeks remaining.

"This is exciting," Academy coach Mark Barren said. "This is what we wanted."

Last Friday, Academy defeated Bexley 31-10 for the first time since 2006. Preston Pearson finished with 183 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries including a 95-yard touchdown run with 1 minute, 57 seconds remaining in the game.

Academy improved to 6-2 overall and tied with Granville for first in the conference at 4-1 ahead of Heath, Newark Catholic and Licking Valley at 3-2, Bexley at 2-3, Whitehall at 1-4 and Lakewood at 0-5.

On Friday, Academy plays host to the conference's four-time defending league-champion Licking Valley. The Panthers chance at a fifth consecutive title looks bleak. On Oct. 2, Licking Valley's 34-game winning streak in the MSL-Ohio ended with a 35-12 loss at Granville. Last Friday, the Panthers dropped another conference game to Newark Catholic 34-21 to fall to 4-4 overall.

"This game will be a ton of fun to play," Barren said. "We'll have to be ready to go. Before the season, some of those teams like Granville and Heath would be good, and they are, but don't count Licking Valley out. We're looking forward to it."

At a glance

Below are recent results and coming schedule for the Academy boys golf, boys soccer, boys and girls cross country, football, girls field hockey, girls golf, girls soccer, girls tennis and girls volleyball teams:

BOYS GOLF

Last Friday-Saturday -- Finished 11th (717) at the Division III state tournament at Ohio State University Golf Club's Scarlet Course won by Minister (654).

BOYS SOCCER

*Oct. 15 -- Lost to Bexley 2-1

Last Saturday -- Defeated West Muskingum 6-0

Saturday -- Home vs. Gahanna Christian or West Jefferson in the second round of the Division III district tournament. The winner will play Wednesday against Northridge, Liberty Union, Madison Christian or Johnstown in a district semifinal.

Of note: The Vikings are 7-4-4 overall and finished 2-3 in the MSL-Ohio.

CROSS COUNTRY

Last Saturday -- Boys: Finished third (87) in the MSL-Ohio meet behind champion Granville (41) and Bexley (61). Jon Michael Hilsheimer finished second (17:26). Girls: Finished sixth (137) in the MSL-Ohio meet won by Granville (19).

FOOTBALL

*Last Friday -- Def. Bexley 31-10

*Friday -- Home vs. Licking Valley. Last season, Licking Valley won 41-0.

Of note: The Vikings are 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the MSL-Ohio.

FIELD HOCKEY

Oct. 12 -- Def. Worthington Kilbourne 11-0

Oct. 15 -- Def. Olentangy Orange 10-0

Friday -- Home vs. Dublin Scioto or Olentangy in the second round of the state qualifying tournament. The winner will play at Toledo Ottawa Hills or Lancaster on Wednesday.

Of note: The Vikings are 9-2-1 overall.

GIRLS GOLF

Last Friday-Saturday -- Morgan Ransom finished second (147) behind Pemberville Eastwood's Alyssa Shimel (145) at the Division II state tournament at Ohio State Golf Club's Gray Course.

GIRLS SOCCER

Oct. 13 -- Def. Liberty Union 7-0

*Oct. 15 -- Lost to Grandview 1-0

Last Wednesday -- Played Wellington or Madison Christian in the second round of the Division II district tournament. The winner will play Saturday against Jonathan Alder or London. A district semifinal is Wednesday and possible opponents include Fisher Catholic, Liberty Union, Ready, Tree of Life and Worthington Christian.

Of note: The Vikings were 11-5 overall before last Wednesday and finished 3-3 in the MSL-Cardinal/Ohio.

GIRLS TENNIS

Oct. 13 -- Def. Wellington 4-1 in a Division II district final

Last Friday -- At CSG at Division II district tournament. The doubles teams of Neha Patel and Nisha Nataraj and Sri Kundur and Parul Reddy both lost in the second round.

Sunday -- At Ohio State vs. Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit or Gates Mills Hawken In a semifinal of the OTCA Division II team tournament. The winner will play Cincinnati Lexington or Port Clinton for the title.

Of note: The Vikings are 16-5 overall.

VOLLEYBALL

*Oct. 13 -- Lost to Lakewood 25-18, 25-12, 25-12

*Oct. 15 -- Lost to Bexley 25-12, 26-24, 14-25, 25-13

Last Saturday -- Lost to Madison Christian 25-18, 25-15; lost to Shekinah Christian 25-14, 25-8

Saturday -- At Licking Heights vs. fourth-seeded Newark Catholic in the second round of the Division III district tournament. The winner will play in a district semifinal Oct. 29 at Pickerington North and possible opponents include third-seeded West Jefferson and ninth-seeded Bloom-Carroll.

Of note: The Vikings are 1-18 overall and finished 1-13 in the MSL-Ohio.

*MSL-Ohio and MSL-Cardinal/Ohio contest