District Semifinal results from yesterday and Championship pairings.
Division 2, District 24 @ Mason
Marshall 1, Western 0
The Columbia Central Golden Eagles faced off against the Ann Arbor Greenhills Gryphons in district semi-final action and despite putting up a great fight for most of the game fell short by a score of 5-1.
Greenhills scored first midway through the first half but Columbia held strong the rest of the way playing solid organized defense in front of some strong goalkeeping by sophomore Kolie Brown.
“At halftime I told the girls that even though we were on defense a lot we were in the game, and that I was very happy with how well we had stood our ground and how organized we were.” Said Columbia coach Andy Hosmer.
“I had scouted Greenhills, I knew they had tremendously skilled players and that we would have to employ a good defensive strategy and look to counter. We only got one day to work on it, but the girls executed it very well most of the game.”
An unfortunate second goal by the Gryphons just minutes into the second half put the hosts in a 2-0 hole, but as she has done all season freshman Mara Henry put one in the back of the net to draw Columbia within striking distance.
“Goal scorers get the job done, and she did it 34 times this season which is impressive. She has a bright future.” Said Hosmer of Henry.
The visiting Gryphons continued to apply pressure to the defense of the home team but Columbia refused to break with Brown making several key saves to keep the margin a single goal for most of the second half. But three late goals doomed the Golden Eagles. “The better team won, but we made them work really hard for it. The final margin doesn’t indicate how close the game really was or how well the girls played. I was so proud of them.” Said Hosmer.
Columbia concludes their season 12-7-1 over-all while Greenhills improves to 7-6-1 and will face Milan in the district final on Friday.
Mason 5, Coldwater 0
District Championship
Marshall (10-3-4) vs. Mason (11-1-5) 5pm
Division 3, District 43 @ Columbia
Milan 8, Onsted 0
Ann Arbor Greenhills 5, Columbia 1
District Campionship
Milan (11-6-3) vs. Ann Arbor Greenhills (7-6-1) 5pm
Division 4, District 57 @ Leslie
District Champion (5/30)
Lumen (9-7) vs. Lansing Christian (11-4-2) @ 5:30pm
Division 4, District 58 @ Manchester
District Championship
Manchester (16-2) vs. Clinton (13-3) 5pm