This weekend, regional championships are being claimed across the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) high school soccer landscape, showcasing the talents of young athletes.
On Saturday, six thrilling games featuring teams from Southwest Ohio captured the spotlight. In the Division I match, a highly competitive clash took place as Mason and Seton faced off at Lakota East, while Springboro took to the pitch against Upper Arlington at Sunbury Big Walnut. The Division II title saw Loveland and Mount Notre Dame go head-to-head at Beavercreek. In Division III, Badin battled Butler for the championship at Miamisburg, while Division V featured a contest between Madeira and Xenia Legacy Christian at Springfield. Additionally, the highly anticipated Division IV final witnessed Summit Country Day pitted against Waynesville at Princeton, marking a significant matchup of recent state champions.
All victorious teams from these high-stakes matches will advance to the state semifinals, which are set to occur at neutral locations.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Madeira will engage in a crucial state semifinal match against Minford (17-3), who clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over Grandview Heights (16-4-1) earlier today. This marks the fifth instance in school history that Madeira has reached the state tournament, achieving this milestone previously last year. In a historic moment back in 2010, they conquered Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown 2-1 in a thrilling overtime battle to claim the Division II state title.
In an intense match that required two overtimes, Loveland (12-4-3) and Mount Notre Dame (12-2-5) concluded regulation play in a stalemate, forcing the regional final to be decided by penalty kicks. After an initial round of penalties concluded at 3-3, Loveland prevailed after the second round, securing their ticket to the state semifinal.
Loveland’s Tigers are set to face the winner between North Royalton (11-5-4) and Hudson (16-2) on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. This marks Loveland’s second appearance in the girls’ soccer state tournament, their first since 2017, when they triumphed over Perrysburg in the state final.
The Rams (13-4-3) fell short against Vandalia Butler (16-5) in their regional finals, concluding their pursuit of a state championship with a 3-1 defeat.
With the victory, Butler looks to solidify its first-ever appearance in the state tournament. They will be up against Medina Highland (19-1-1) on Tuesday, who decisively beat Celina (15-2-4) with a commanding score of 6-0 earlier today. Meanwhile, Badin continues to seek their return to the state tournament, having last made the appearance in 2014, a year when they celebrated their second consecutive state championship.
In an electrifying match, Springboro (19-1-1) edged out Upper Arlington (18-2-1) with a score of 2-1, advancing to the OHSAA Division I state semifinals. Key contributions came from junior Hailey Burns and senior Tessa Blain, who both netted crucial goals for Springboro.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m., the Panthers will face Seton (13-6-1), who emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over Mason earlier in the day to secure their place in the semifinals for a third consecutive season. This achievement marks the first time Springboro has reached the state tournament since 2016, when they fell to Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit in the state championship.
DI: Seton clinches Region 4 title with 1-0 victory over Mason
Seton secured their regional championship for the third consecutive year, triumphing 1-0 over Mason at Lakota East. The Saints, with a season record of 14-6-1, are poised to face the winner of the Springboro and Upper Arlington showdown on Tuesday night at Xenia during the state semifinals, while Mason wraps up their season at 14-5-2.
In the decisive moment, Seton freshman Mary Jung netted her eighth goal of the season, putting her team ahead 1-0 with just 27 minutes remaining in the second half. As the reigning Division I state champions, Seton aims to make a deeper playoff run after suffering a setback in the state semifinals last year.
DIV: Summit Country Day Silver Knights secure state tournament spot with win over Waynesville
Summit Country Day (20-1-1) marked their place in the state semifinals by triumphing over Waynesville (17-4-0) with a decisive score of 3-0. In an impressive performance, junior Mia Stevens, who finished second in the Miami Valley Conference with 20 goals this season, scored two goals for the Silver Knights. Sophomore Abigayle Penote contributed with an additional goal, securing the regional championship and the team’s advancement in the tournament.
**Interview with OHSAA Soccer Expert, Sarah Johnson**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Sarah! It’s an exciting weekend in high school soccer across Ohio. Can you give us an overview of what to expect?
**Sarah Johnson:** Absolutely! This weekend is monumental as teams compete for regional championships. On Saturday alone, we witnessed six intense matchups. The finals are not just about claiming a title; they determine which teams will advance to the state semifinals, which adds a lot of intensity to the games.
**Interviewer:** That sounds thrilling! Could you tell us more about some of the standout matchups?
**Sarah Johnson:** Certainly! In Division I, Mason faced off against Seton in what was expected to be a nail-biter, and Springboro took on Upper Arlington in another closely contested match. In Division II, Loveland had an incredible matchup with Mount Notre Dame that came down to penalty kicks after a tie. Loveland’s resilience shone through, and they secured their place in the semifinals.
**Interviewer:** It looks like Loveland’s victory was particularly dramatic! Can you share what’s next for them?
**Sarah Johnson:** Yes! Loveland’s next challenge will be against either North Royalton or Hudson, and they’re looking to make the most of their return to the state tournament after a six-year hiatus. This is such an important moment for their program.
**Interviewer:** I also heard about Madeira’s upcoming semifinal match against Minford. What can we expect from them?
**Sarah Johnson:** Madeira has a rich history in the state tournament, appearing for the fifth time in school history. They’re riding on the momentum of previous successes, including their dramatic win in 2010 which cemented their legacy. With their strong performance so far, they’ll be eager to advance through the semifinals.
**Interviewer:** How about the other divisions? Any highlights to mention?
**Sarah Johnson:** Yes! In Division III, Badin faced Butler, and while Badin fell short, Butler is making their debut in the state tournament which is a significant milestone for them. On the other hand, Springboro’s victory against Upper Arlington showcased a strong team effort, with key players stepping up to secure the win.
**Interviewer:** This weekend truly showcases the spirit of high school soccer! What do you think is the significance of these matches for the athletes?
**Sarah Johnson:** These matches are critical for the athletes. They pour their hearts into each game, and the opportunity to compete at the state level represents the culmination of their hard work and dedication. It’s not just about the trophy; it’s about teamwork, community support, and creating lasting memories.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Sarah, for your insights! We’re looking forward to an electrifying set of semifinals next week.
**Sarah Johnson:** Thank you! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an exciting time for high school soccer.
