Everything lined up perfectly for Beaver Local to make its first run to the state girls soccer tournament.

Beaver Local, the best team in the East District, was given a gift in facing the Southeast District’s best in Albany Alexander on Saturday in the regional final.

It is much more customary that the less populated Southeast and East districts would have to play against the Central in the regionals, but this year the Ohio High School Athletic Association sent the Central winner to play against teams from the Northeast.

To put it this way, since the girls tournament started in 1985, no teams from the East District or Southeast District have won state titles in any division.

The Beavers (18-2) enter Tuesday’s Div. IV state semifinal ranked 15th by MaxPreps with the lowest strength of schedule of the four remaining teams. Columbus Academy (17-3-2) is ranked seventh in Div. IV. The Vikings have never won a state girls soccer title but reached the state semifinal in 2019 and 2020.

Columbus Academy bested No. 12 ranked West Geauga with a 30-yard strike from senior midfielder and Gonzaga University commit Harper Boninsegna-Mullins with 4:44 to play in the game on Saturday in their regional final.

The Vikings, which boast a taller lineup, played a heavy defensive style which made it a nightmare for West Geauga to create shots. At points in the second half, the Vikings had eight behind the ball in their own third of the field.

The team, which has not lost since Sept. 11, relied a lot on counter attacks to faster players like leading goal scorer Sydney Smoot who has 22 goals in her freshman campaign. The Vikings have scored 76 goals this season, while letting in 17.

Beaver Local’s offensive polish in the final third with sophomore Peyton Dunn (45 goals this season) and freshman Leah Stewart (24 goals) should be enough to create at least a few opportunities.

On the other side of the bracket is three-time defending state champion Cincinnati Summit Country Day and Ottawa-Glandorf. Those teams meet on Tuesday in Fairborn for the other state final spot.

Summit Country Day (19-0-2) is ranked No. 1 in Div. IV by MaxPreps and also has the strongest strength of schedule of any of the final four teams. Ottawa-Glandorf (16-5) is ranked third.