OHSAA girls soccer: 5 storylines entering central Ohio district semifinals
The girls soccer state finals will be played Nov. 10 in Columbus. Perhaps this year, a central Ohio team will be able to capitalize on having the home city advantage.
Last year, central Ohio saw its season end in the state semifinals, with Olentangy Orange losing in Division I as the only area team to advance that far.
This year in Division I, Upper Arlington, Dublin Coffman, Olentangy Liberty and Orange are the top four seeds in the district tournament. All four compete in the OCC-Central.
In Division II, the top four seeds are Granville, Bexley, Bloom-Carroll and Hartley.
Worthington Christian, Grandview Heights, Columbus School for Girls and Tree of Life are the top four seeds in Division III.
Here are five storylines for the remainder of the district tournaments, which conclude with championship games on Saturday at neutral sites:
1. OCC-Central prepares Upper Arlington for postseason
The Golden Bears (16-2-1) earned the top seed in the district for the first time since 2009. They're seeking their 10th district championship and first since 2020.
UA has reached the state tournament only once, losing to Cincinnati Ursula Academy 3-0 in a semifinal in 2008.
“We have higher ambitions,” coach Andrew Kessinger said.
UA shared the OCC-Central title with Liberty at 4-0-1.
“Our league is, if not the top league in the state, one of the top leagues with Olentangy Orange, Olentangy Liberty, Dublin Coffman and us being the top four seeds,” Kessinger said. “It makes you battle-tested. Every one of those games could have gone either way. Those are like regional semifinal, regional final type matches.”
UA plays 24th-seeded Worthington Kilbourne in a semifinal Wednesday. The winner plays eighth-seeded Pickerington North or 12th-seeded Marysville for a district title.
Senior midfielder Avery Miller has made an impact since transferring from CSG before her junior year.
“I really did love my time at CSG and the people I met, but UA is just another level with intensity and the teams we play,” she said. “The coaching staff is amazing. The overall level is so much higher and it’s really fun to be a part of.”
The Bears have a balanced offense, with 24 players recording at least one point. Through 18 games, Izzy Probst led in scoring with eight goals and 12 assists.
“Stopping Upper Arlington, you’re going to have to stop a lot of people,” Kessinger said.
Senior goalie Sally Patton has 31 career shutouts.
2. Dublin Coffman has high hopes for postseason
Coffman coach Costa Kalorides believes his team has the potential for a long postseason run. The Shamrocks, who are seeking their 15th district title and first since 2021, won state titles in 2001 and 2003.
“(Earning the No.) 2 seed shows that the other programs in Columbus respected what we did this season and respected the work the girls put in,” Kalorides said.
The Shamrocks (14-2-1) play 17th-seeded Watkins Memorial in a semifinal Wednesday. The winner plays sixth-seeded Olentangy Berlin or 12th-seeded Big Walnut for a district title.
Coffman finished third in the OCC-Central at 3-2.
Through 16 games, Whitney Scott led in scoring with 19 goals and seven assists. Addison Bohman and Grace Berman have split time in goal.
3. Olentangy Liberty showing 'good team dynamics'
Just like UA, the Patriots (14-2-1) know OCC-Central play prepared them for the postseason.
“It’s the best opportunity to sharpen your team,” coach Chris Allen said. “After we get done clawing at each other in the OCC, it potentially puts us in some of the best positions from a preparation standpoint for the tournament.”
Liberty plays 14th-seeded Gahanna Lincoln in a semifinal Wednesday. The winner plays seventh-seeded Olentangy or 10th-seeded Delaware Hayes in a final.
The Patriots are seeking their sixth district title and first since 2021.
“We have pretty good team dynamics,” Allen said. “With the versatility of the group, it creates a lot of opportunities for us to be a good, strong all-around team. We have some big-name players just like other teams do, but the best part about the team is so many different people showing up, and it’s great to have a holistic approach.”
Through 16 games, Chloe Brecht led in scoring with 13 goals and nine assists, followed by Lexi Mitchem with 12 goals and three assists. Goalie Hailey Myers had six shutouts.
4. Granville looks to continue postseason success
Granville (11-2-4) entered the district tournament coming off its second consecutive LCL title and ninth in 11 seasons. The Blue Aces outscored league opponents 65-2 while going 8-0.
Granville plays fourth-seeded Hartley in a semifinal Wednesday. The winner plays second-seeded Bexley or third-seeded Bloom-Carroll in a final.
The Aces have won three district titles in the past four years and seven in the past 10.
“We are excited to be the No. 1 seed for the tournament and know that there is a lot of pressure being in that position,” coach Scott Forster said. “We have played a very challenging non-conference schedule that we hope prepares us for a deep tournament run.”
Through 16 games, Ivy Miller (13 goals, 13 assists), Lyndy Van Horn (8 goals, 23 assists) and Ava Labocki (15 goals, 6 assists) led Granville in scoring. Sydney Lauffer is the starting goalie.
5. Worthington Christian seeking second district title
Led by third-year coach Luke Fields, the Warriors are two wins from their second district championship and first since 2014.
Worthington Christian (15-1-3) plays third-seeded CSG in a semifinal Tuesday. The winner plays second-seeded Grandview or fourth-seeded Tree of Life in a final.
“This team has potential if they play well and up to their capabilities,” Fields said. “The girls have bonded well this year and have had a lot of fun and have played well, for the most part.”
The Warriors shared the first Central Buckeye League title with Bexley at 6-0-1. It was their fifth league title and first since 2018.
“It’s a good thing,” Fields said. “It’s a tough league. It’s been a while since we won a league title. We have a lot of good competition.”
Through 18 games, senior Sofia Divine led in scoring with 19 goals and 11 assists, and junior Madeleine Hulme had 13 goals and nine assists. Sophomore goalie Jadyn Stults had seven shutouts.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 5 storylines entering central Ohio girls soccer district semis
