Highland earns first girls soccer district title; Hoban, Manchester also win to advance
Some things are worth the wait.
The Highland girls soccer team waited 29 years between district final appearances.
On Thursday, the third-seeded Hornets defeated sixth-seeded Avon 4-2 to win the program's first title in school history in the Division I, Elyria 6 District.
"The girls really bought into the second time being in the district finals," Highland coach Billy Zufall said. "They really wanted it not only for us, but for the girls before them that didn't win district. To break through that glass ceiling is just amazing for these girls."
The win advanced Highland (18-0-2) into a regional semifinal against returning state semifinalist Strongsville (15-1-2), which beat Amherst 2-0 to win the Elyria 1 District.
The Hornets got there with two goals by Jillian Miller, one goal apiece from Vanessa Zufall and Grace Shondel and an assist by Katie Wetzel.
Hoban 5, Beaumont 1
The Knights (14-4-1) are making this district title thing look easy under coach Abbey Golden.
Hoban is in its second season under their standout coach and for the second time it's in a regional semifinal.
This time it came with a Division II, Akron 3 District final win over the Blue Streaks (11-7-2) at Hawken. It sets up a round of 16 game against Akron 4 District winner Bay (17-2-1), which beat Copley 2-1 in overtime.
That game is Tuesday at Niles McKinley High School.
"When you have a team that has now been experienced and had exposure to the teams and the level in the area, they're ready for basically anyone they come against," Golden said. "We played a very diverse schedule, which prepared them to see a lot of different types, formations and opponents."
The Knights advanced behind Lauren Mahoney (two goals, one assist), Finley Kennedy (two goals, one assist), Reese Gallagher (goal, assist) Lina McCarthy (assist) and Zoey Hodge (assist).
Manchester 8, Northwestern 0
Greater Akron's only undefeated team rolled to its second straight district title, and the Panthers (20-0) don't show signs of slowing down.
Top-seeded Manchester won the Division III, Akron 4 District with a rout of the Huskies (15-2-2) at Northwest. It sets up a regional semifinal Tuesday at Ravenna against Akron 1 District winner Berlin Hiland, which beat Kinsman Badger 2-1.
Katie Norris led Manchester with four goals, and Lauren Gunsett, Emily Allman, Rowan Olechnowicz and Ellah Craddock each scored one goal.
Norris and Gunsett each had two assists. Allman, Craddock, Gina Tipton and Jaydyn McKinney had one assist apiece.
"Their confidence has grown throughout the season with their touches, play off the ball and creativity — all that has manifested itself as the year has gone on," Manchester coach Eddie Kissner said. "Going into next week, we have a lot of confidence, but we're taking it one game at a time. We know anything can happen and want to prepare to get through to the next round."
Bay Village Bay 2, Copley 1 (OT)
Junior Tessa Knapp scored two goals, including the game-winner nine minutes into overtime, to propel the Rockets (17-2-1) to a win in the Division II, Rocky River 4 district championship at Lutheran West High School.
Kate Young scored a goal off an assist from Colleen Bauer for Copley (14-4-2), the Division II state championship team last season.
Copley coach Wally Senk said he appreciates the efforts of seniors Kami Ayoup, Emily Kerekes, Sydney Leach, Alli Pittman, Bauer and Young.
"In their four years, they finished their careers 56-13-12 [overall] and 22-2-3 in the Suburban League [American Conference] with two district titles and a state championship," Senk said.
VOLLEYBALL
Cleveland St. Joseph Academy 3, Wadsworth 0
The Grizzlies (20-4) finished as the Division I district runner-up to the Jaguars (21-4) at Maple Heights High School. St. Joseph won 25-10, 25-17 and 25-21.
Wadsworth entered Thursday a winner of eight of its past nine matches, including a district semifinal in four sets over Revere on Tuesday at Maple Heights.
Wadsworth coach Allyson Wines bids farewell to seniors Brooke Manfull, Avery Nicholson, Bree Stoner, Olivia Beldean, Rachel Dunkle and Lydia Wiita.
Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 3, Twinsburg 0
The Tigers (18-5) finished as the Division I district runner-up at North High School in Akron against the Lions (13-11), the Division II state champions last season.
ND-CL won the first set 26-24, the third set 25-22 and the fifth set 15-11. Twinsburg won the second set 25-20 and the fourth set 26-24.
Twinsburg entered Thursday with a seven-match win streak that included a district semifinal win in three sets over rival Nordonia on Tuesday at North.
Twinsburg coach Jessica Rader bids farewell to seniors Emmersyn Muth, Claire Grosel, Genevieve Talentino, Brooke Smith and Julia Rodic.
— Compiled by Brad Bournival, Don Coughlin and Michael Beaven
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Highland, Hoban and Manchester win girls soccer district championships
