Unbeaten Edison takes on Liberty-Benton in regional

This is new territory for Edison boys soccer. The Chargers won their first district title in program history Saturday. Now Edison, which sports a 19-0-1 record, faces No. 5 Liberty-Benton (17-1-2) in a regional semifinal at Bowling Green High School. Kick is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday. "The biggest key to success this year has been the amount of hard work everyone on the team has put in," Edison coach Nate Leimeister said. "The coaching staff, players and parents are all super proud of this accomplishment and are ready to achieve more." Both teams are coming off dominating performances in district final wins last Saturday. Edison clubbed Delta 6-0 at Sylvania Southview. Liberty-Benton blasted Eastwood 8-0 at Findlay. The Eagles were regional finalists last year, losing to Worthington Christian in a shootout. "We are an experienced and well-balanced team," L-B coach Aaron Troyer said. "We have 10 seniors and many who contributed to our regional finalist team last year. We've been able to possess the ball well, which allows us to keep opponents' attacks at bay, but also creating chances in our own attack. "We have created many dangerous chances in the run of play as well as off set pieces." Liberty-Benton is led offensively by senior Aiden Hatch, who has scored 32 goals and dished 18 assists. Junior Jairo Colina adds 27 goals and 26 assists while sophomore Taden Troyer has 16 goals. "They are traditionally a strong program who succeeds in the playoffs," Leimeister said. "The players are looking forward to the challenge." The Chargers counter with a high-powered offense that has notched a program-record 160 goals this season. Senior Alex Davidson has accounted for 59 goals and 28 assists to lead Edison. Sophomore Carter Jones has tallied 33 goals and senior Jose Serna Amaya has record 25 goals and 19 assists. Junior Gavyn Blackburn has aided the way with 27 assists. "We will need to remain organized with our defensive shape and play with a high pace of play by utilizing the full width of the field," Troyer said. "We must finish chances we generate in the box but not overcommit to the attack." The two teams are somewhat familiar with each other. The Eagles defeated Edison 4-0 in a district semifinal in Tiffin two years ago. Liberty-Benton won a district title in its next match that season. "We know they have a high-powered attack with a lot of speed and have scored a lot of goals," Troyer said. "Alex Davidson is an impressive player, but Edison has several really good attackers that have produced big scoring numbers this year." Edison has had a record-setting season and hopes to keep it going. The winner will face either No. 3 Worthington Christian (15-3-2) or No. 11 Columbus Tree of Life Christian (18-2) in Sunday's regional final at Marion Harding. "Team chemistry has been developed by having camp, showcases, breakfast and all the other little things that were done to bring this team together as one team," Leimeister said. "We have to play our game, possess and attack them on their end." Area hosting several matches There will be regional semifinals and regional finals played at area schools, largely in part due to location and turf fields. Edison is set to host the Mansfield Christian (17-2-1) vs. Columbus Grove (15-2-2) Division V girls regional semifinal at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Freedom Field will be the setting for two regional finals. Saturday, it will host a Division II girls contest before welcoming in a Division III boys contest Sunday. "Being a member of the OHSAA, hosting postseason gives us an opportunity to give back," Edison athletic director Kristin Hayden said. "We have the turf and lights, which gives us the ability to host at any time of day and later in the season. It also gives Edison a chance to show off our facilities that our school and community are very proud of." Elsewhere Tuesday, Norwalk's Contractors Stadium will be the site for the Woodmore (18-1-1) vs. Archbold (16-3-1) Division V girls regional semifinal. The two teams tied 2-2 earlier this season. "We have hosted most indoor sports for many years because we have great facilities and a staff that runs a good tournament," Norwalk AD Joshua Schlotterer said. "When we renovated Contractors Stadium and started playing soccer down there, I was contacted by OHSAA about hosting soccer games at the stadium. We like to host the games because we can showcase our school, facilities and the Norwalk community. "When we host district wrestling, our area restaurants are filled with people attending the tournament." Sandusky's Strobel Field will host the Hanover United (10-7-2) vs. Maumee Valley Country Day (16-2-1) Division V boys regional semifinal Wednesday. Strobel Field will also welcome in a Division III girls regional final Saturday. True-Lay Stadium in Port Clinton will be the site of the Anthony Wayne (11-6-2) vs. Avon Lake (17-1-2) Division II boys regional semifinal Wednesday. "I really enjoy high school sports," PC athletic director Rick Dominick said. "At the regional level, you get to watch some of the best high school athletes and teams in the state compete. The talent level, intensity and effort that you see is special. "I'm sure other hosts will tell you it's some work. It was three hours Saturday night putting final details together to share with the two schools, match officials and my team here at PC." Clyde will host the Hanover United vs. MVCD winner against either Ottawa Hills or Fort Jennings in a boys Division V regional final Sunday. "There are a number of schools in our area who have stepped forward to host in multiple sports," Dominck said. "We have so many wonderful facilities in Erie and Ottawa County, and being easily accessible from State Route 2 and the Ohio Turnpike makes all of our area schools great locations for east-west matchups. For us, Anthony Wayne is 58 minutes via the Turnpike and for Avon Lake, it's 64 minutes via Route 2. "We may be about as central of a location as you could find for those two schools."