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Four Greater Akron girls soccer teams won district; what to expect at OHSAA regionals

brad bournival, akron beacon journal
·4 min read

Four wins.

That’s all that separates four Greater Akron area girls soccer teams from a state title.

When regional action begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, the task will be great. That said, Walsh Jesuit, Highland, Hoban and Manchester already know the road to Columbus.

All that stands in their way are these games:

OHSAA Division I, Region 1 regional semifinals

Hannah Pachan and Walsh Jesuit turn their eyes toward Solon in a regional semifinal.
Hannah Pachan and Walsh Jesuit turn their eyes toward Solon in a regional semifinal.

Who/Where: Walsh Jesuit (13-2-3) vs. Solon (13-5) at Byers Field (Parma); Mentor (14-5-1) vs. Magnificat (10-6-3) at St. Vincent-St. Mary

History lesson: Solon is in the regional for the first time since 2012 after upsetting Hudson 2-1. In that same time frame, Walsh has 10 district titles and five state championships. The Warriors beat Jackson 1-0 to win their district last week.

Mentor beat Green 1-0 to reach its second regional semifinal in the last four seasons. Magnificat beat Medina 1-0 to reach the round of 16 for the second straight season. Last season, the Blue Streaks reached the state semifinals.

Players to watch: The Warriors are paced by Hannah Pachan (25 goals, nine assists) and Reagan Pentz (nine, eight). The Comets counter with Sophia Ryan, who scored both goals in the win over Hudson. Mentor keeper Jill Medvecky has only allowed 11 goals this season. She’ll be challenged by freshman sensation Kalli Sdrakas, who scored the lone goal for Magnificat in the Blue Streaks’ win over Medina.

OHSAA Division I, Region 2 regional semifinals

Grace Shondel has Highland in its first regional semifinal in program history.
Grace Shondel has Highland in its first regional semifinal in program history.

Who/Where: Strongsville (15-1-2) vs. Highland (18-0-2) at Brunswick; Toledo Notre Dame (12-6-1) vs. Perrysburg (19-0-1) at Holland Springfield

History lesson: The Hornets advanced to their first regional in school history with a 4-2 win over Avon. Strongsville beat Amherst 2-0. Notre Dame won its second district in three years with a 2-1 win over Whitehouse Anthony Wayne. It was the 22nd district title for the Mustangs, who also have 14 state semifinal appearances, five state titles and five runner-up finishes.

Perrysburg is in its first regional since 2020 after a 1-0 win over Toledo St. Ursula. The Yellow Jackets opened the season with a 1-0 win over Notre Dame.

Players to watch: Highland’s Grace Shondel (20 goals, 16 assists) and Vanessa Zufall (21, 13) will test Memphis commit Abby Kudla in goal. The Strongsville senior holds the state record for 54 career shutouts. This season, she has 15 clean slates.

Aly Peckham (16, eight) is the main target for Notre Dame. Perrysburg is led by Emma Ogdahl (22, 11) and Camille Francis (19, 10).

OHSAA Division II, Region 5 regional semifinal

Lauren Mahoney, right, and Hoban have a huge test in how to stop Tessa Knapp and Bay.
Lauren Mahoney, right, and Hoban have a huge test in how to stop Tessa Knapp and Bay.

Who/Where: Hoban (14-4-1) vs. Bay (17-2-1) at Niles McKinley; Alliance (15-4-2) vs. Canfield (20-0-1) at Streetsboro

History lesson: Hoban is making its second consecutive trip to the round of 16 after a 5-1 win over Beaumont. The Rockets won a district final for the first time since 2018 with a 2-1 win over reigning state champ Copley. This is a rematch of a regional semifinal won by Bay in 2022.

Alliance beat Kenston 2-0 for its first district title in program history. Canfield stopped Streetsboro 8-0 for its second straight district title.

Players to watch: The offenses for Hoban and Bay go through Lauren Mahoney (112 career goals, 58 assists) and Notre Dame commit Tessa Knapp (146, 35).

Alliance is paced by Avery Horning (16 goals, eight assists) and Royhal Hawkins (14, six). Canfield has a great duo in Maci Toporcer (50 goals, 14 assists) and Hanna Wahib (29, 21).

OHSAA Division III, Region 9 regional semifinals

Katie Norris, right, and Manchester hope the season ends with a Division II state title.
Katie Norris, right, and Manchester hope the season ends with a Division II state title.

Who/Where: Berlin Hiland (12-9-1) vs. Manchester (20-0) at Ravenna; Warren Champion (20-0) vs. Creston Norwayne (12-6-1) at Boardman

History lesson: Manchester won its second straight district title in a row with an 8-0 victory Northwestern. Hiland won its fourth in a row with a 2-0 win over Kinsman. The Panthers own a 4-0 win over the Hawks this season.

Champion beat Poland Seminary 2-1 to claim its fifth district title and first since 2018. Norwayne beat Chippewa 2-1 for its second straight district crown.

Players to watch: Manchester is led by Katie Norris, who has 61 goals and 24 assists this season. Chanelle Kellog is the one to watch for Hiland.

Champion has a three-headed arsenal in Taylor Kuhn (45, 27), Grayson Knoske (33, 19) and Maylee Nadaud (26, 22). Norwayne is paced by Michigan State pledge Shelby Vaughn.

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: OHSAA girls soccer: Breaking down all four area high school regionals