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Five SportsInk.com soccer teams have won district titles and are ready for regional tourney play this week.
Five SportsInk.com soccer teams have won district championships. Regional semifinal games are slated for Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Division I Copley boys (13-2-4), making their first regional appearance since winning a state title in 1994, will meet Avon (18-0-1) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Bay High School. The ninth-ranked Indians have not lost since Sept. 6 – a 3-2 setback to Revere – and have a 12-0-2 mark since senior Brad Ruhaak returned to action from an injury. Junior Riley Grant (15 goals, 8 assists) has evolved as coach David Antal’s top offensive threat.
Avon's Ryan Poyle (25 goals, 1 assist) is one of the state's leading goal scorers.
The Division II Revere boys (15-0-4) play Cortland Lakeview (16-1-2) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School. Revere did not allow a goal in three sectional and district matches as it repeated as district champion. A year ago, the Minutemen advanced to the state championship match and this season they’ve compiled the first undefeated regular season in the program’s history. Coach Sandor Jakab has guided Revere to six district titles in the last 11 years. Senior Colin Romisher is the team’s leading scorer (2 goals, 1 assist in district final vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary). Senior Max Palazzo is Revere’s top defender.
Lakeview's Louie Novakovich (22 goals, 5 assists) will likely be marked by Palazzo.
On the girls side, three teams will be in action on Wednesday. Coach Brian Misanko’s Archbishop Hoban (11-5-3) Knights meet Toledo St. Ursula Academy (12-6-1) in a Division II regional semifinal at 7 p.m. at Millbury Lake High School. Hoban outlasted Norton 5-4 in penalty kicks after the district final ended 1-1. The Knights have outscored three tournament opponents 19-1.
Kelly Farell (15 goals, 12 assists) and Megan David (11 goals, 14 assists) give Ursula an excellent 1-2 scoring punch.
Also in Division II, at Ravenna High School, top-ranked Walsh Jesuit (17-0-2) is aiming to extend its 34-match unbeaten streak against Canfield (9-7-3) at 7 p.m. The defending national and state champions have yielded five goals this season. Senior Alyson Smigel scored both goals in a 2-0 district championship win at Revere. Coach Dino McIntyre has directed Walsh to five state titles and 16 straight district crowns.
Division I Wadsworth (15-2-0) is making its first regional appearance, facing Avon (9-5-5) at Rocky River High School at 7 p.m. First-year coach Paul Williford guided the Grizzlies to a share of the Suburban League championship along with Copley and Revere, and then a stunning 2-1 upset of No. 1 seed Medina in a district semifinal at the Bees’ home stadium. Sophomore Leah Runkle has 31 goals. Junior Britttany Fullbright scored both goals in a 2-1 district final win over Wooster. Senior midfielder Jessie Gearhart is an offensive and defensive force for the Grizzlies.