By DAVID COOK
The girls’ soccer season reaches its zenith in the next few weeks, with the state tournament getting into full swing. District action begins the final week of May, with the regional taking place the first week of June and the state finals set for June 12 and 13 in East Lansing. High School Sports Scene takes a look at the key districts and regionals.
DIVISION 1
@WATERFORD MOTT: The premier district will be at Waterford Mott, where Rochester Stoney Creek, the No. 1-ranked team in the state, will begin its tournament march. That march will have a number of obstacles at the district level, where rival Rochester Adams enters the tournament as the No. 7-ranked team in the state. Throw in strong programs like Rochester, Lake Orion, and Clarkston, and this district has plenty of thrilling games in store.
@HARTLAND: Host Hartland is ranked honorable mention in Division 1 and will be tough to beat on its home field. The team to beat at this district, however, is Walled Lake Northern, which is ranked second in the state and is the favorite. Howell, Milford, and Lakeland will also be at this district. The winner will head to the toughest regional in the state, at Novi, where it will face the winner of the North Farmington district in the semifinal. The winner of that semifinal may then have to face Stoney Creek in the regional title game.
@NORTH FARMINGTON: Like the Waterford Mott district, the North Farmington district has a pair of teams ranked in the top ten in the field. Brighton enters the tournament ranked number eight in the state, while Novi is ranked tenth. Walled Lake Western and Mercy are also part of this district. The winner will head to the super-regional at Novi.
@LAPEER: Host Lapeer has been turning in a big season in the SVL South. Grand Blanc has also turned in a solid season, and this district will come down to those two schools, with Swartz Creek being the wild card in the mix.
@OKEMOS: Okemos has been going through a rebuilding season but will still be a tough out come tournament time. Holt will be among the contenders looking to break through against the perennial powerhouse.
DIVISION 2
@AUBURN HILLS AVONDALE: The toughest district in the state will be at Avondale, where top-ranked Marian begins its tournament push. Marian will receive a major challenge from Notre Dame Preparatory. The winner of this district heads to the regional at Farmington Hills Harrison.
@BRANDON: Long-time rivals Fenton and Linden will battle it out for the district title, with the winner heading to the Harrison regional. Both the Tigers and the Eagles have been turning in solid seasons, with Fenton ranked 10th in the state.
@EAST LANSING: It’s been a rebuilding season for DeWitt, but the Panthers will still be the team to beat at this district. Host East Lansing, Haslett, and St. Johns will all be looking to pull the upset and steal the district title.
@EATON RAPIDS: Mason comes in as the favorite to win the district title at Eaton Rapids, where the host Greyhounds and Charlotte are also in the mix.
@FOREST HILLS EASTERN: Lowell has enjoyed one of its best seasons, and the Red Arrows are primed for a deep tournament run. Forest Hills Northern will provide Lowell with its biggest challenge.
@TBD: Midland Dow is ranked eighth in the state and is poised for a long tournament run. Dow’s main challenge at the district will come from Mt. Pleasant. The winner of this district heads to the Forest Hills Northern regional, where Lowell and DeWitt could be waiting.
DIVISION 3
@FRANKENMUTH: For sheer drama and excitement, the Frankemuth district is the place to be in Division 3. Powers Catholic, the No. 2-ranked team in the state, is the favorite in this district and has the talent to win a state title. Long-time rivals Frankenmuth and Birch Run are also at this district and have state-ranked teams. Birch Run is ranked seventh in the state, while Frankenmuth is ranked ninth.
@DURAND: Williamston enters the tournament ranked 10th in the state and has been enjoying a solid season. The Hornets are strong favorites to win the district, and Lake Fenton and Corunna will be among the challengers. The winner of this district will face the winner of the Frankenmuth district in the regional semifinal at the Williamston regional.
@ITHACA: Freeland has been getting stronger as the season has progressed, and the Falcons will be the team to beat, as they begin what they hope will be a long tournament run. Alma, Ithaca, and Hemlock will be among the teams looking to dash Freeland’s tournament dreams.
DIVISION 4
@MONTROSE: Nouvel Catholic Central is the favorite at the Montrose district. Nouvel has an honorable-mention ranking in Division 4 and is capable of a deep tournament run. Valley Lutheran is also at this district.
@LANSING CHRISTIAN: The Pilgrims will be the big favorites at the district they host. Christian is ranked among the honorable-mention in the state. The winner of the district will play the winner of the Montrose district in the semifinal round of the Valley Lutheran regional.