By Cort Reynolds
The Bluffton High School girls soccer team was seeded fourth in the tough eight-team Div. V sectional drawing Sunday, October 6. Bluffton hosts sixth-seeded local rival Allen East (6-8-1) in the first round of tournament play Tuesday, October 15 at 6 p.m.
The Pirate girls defeated AE 3-0 on Sept. 17 in Bluffton, and also eliminated the Mustangs in the district semis last year. AE senior standout Rilynn Jones has scored 22 goals and dished out 15 assists this season. Junior Rylie Jordan has netted a dozen goals.
The winner advances to face the Riverdale/Cory-Rawson victor Monday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. in the semifinals at Steinmetz Field. The Falcons (9-2-2) are seeded first and C-R (3-11-1) is eighth. Heavily favored Riverdale tied Liberty-Benton for the NCOSA title this season.
The finals at Steinmetz Field are slated for Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.
The Pirates have lost at home to Riverdale in the district finals the last two years.
Unbeaten Columbus Grove (12-0-2) is seeded second, and undefeated Mansfield Christian (11-0-2) is third in the top half of the loaded draw.
Ada (10-6) is seeded fifth and plays at Grove Oct. 15 in the first round. MC hosts seven seed Ashland Crestview Oct. 15. If seeding holds, CG would face Mansfield in the semis Oct. 21 at 5 p.m. in Bluffton.
