Dublin Jerome's boys soccer team puts its state title defense on the line Wednesday, Nov. 4, when the Celtics face Olentangy Berlin in an OHSAA Division I Regional Semifinal at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Jerome, the defending Division I state champion, entered the postseason as one of central Ohio's top programs. The Celtics posted a 14-2-1 regular-season record, with their only losses coming against perennial powers Cleveland St. Ignatius and St. Charles, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
The Celtics are among 16 central Ohio boys soccer teams still alive as the regional tournament opens across all five divisions, the Dispatch reported Nov. 3. All three of the area's defending state champions remain in the bracket.
St. Ignatius handed Jerome a 2-0 loss late in the regular season, avenging last year's state championship defeat, according to Cleveland.com. That result gave the Celtics their toughest test of the fall heading into the postseason.
The winner of Wednesday's match advances to the Region 4 championship game Nov. 8 at Wright State University’s Soccer Stadium, where the opponent will be either Moeller or Sycamore, according to Cincinnati.com. State semifinal games are scheduled for Nov. 10-11, with the boys state championship set for Nov. 15-16 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus.
