Only two remain

Four area soccer teams advanced to the state semifinals this week, but only two earned a chance to play for a state title in Columbus this weekend.

The CVCA and Jackson boys teams won their respective state semifinal matchups and will vie for state championships.

CVCA defeated Napoleon 3-0 on Tuesday and advances to play Kettering Alter in a Division II state final at 11 a.m. at Crew Stadium in Columbus.

Jackson's route to the state championship game was a bit more unconventional. The Polar Bears lost their regional final against Mentor in a shootout Saturday. However, Jackson learned Tuesday that Mentor had to forfeit that game because it used two ineligible players. Therefore, Jackson advanced to a state semifinal and took advantage of the rare opportunity by defeating Sylvania Northview 1-0 in overtime on Wednesday. The Polar Bears will play Hilliard Davidson in a Division I state final at 7 p.m. Friday.

KAREN SCHIELY/Akron Beacon Journal

CVCA senior Danny Thompson gets fired up after scoring a goal in the Royals' 3-0 win over Napoleon in a Division II state semifinal.

The Walsh Jesuit and Archbishop Hoban girls teams both fell short of reaching a state championship game Wednesday night.

The defending state champion Warriors lost to nationally-ranked Strongsville in a shootout. Archbishop Hoban suffered defeat in a state semifinal for the second consecutive year when the Knights fell 2-1 to Hathaway Brown.

Click here for a Walsh girls game story.

Click here for a Hoban girls game story.

I will be in Columbus to cover the CVCA and Jackson boys in their state championship games. Stay tuned to this blog and the Beacon Journal for updates.