COPLEY — It was a goal 31 years in the making, but when it went in the Wadsworth boys soccer team scratched a regional semifinal itch more than three decades in the making.
The end result was a 1-0 win by the sixth-seeded Grizzlies over eighth-seeded Green and a Division II, Northeast 6 District title on Saturday.
The win over the Bulldogs (9-5-5) means Wadsworth will play in a regional semifinal for the first time since 1993.
It took a while, but Diego Montoya’s left foot found Benny Sauser’s right foot on a cross and the freshman scored with 9:42 left.
“This is a special moment,” Sauser said. “We’re so proud as a team because we worked so hard to get there.”
The moment will continue Wednesday when the Grizzlies (13-5) travel to Brunswick to play Toledo St. Francis DeSales (14-2-2). The Knights needed two overtimes to beat Toledo St. John’s Jesuit 3-2
In other district finals:
Hudson 6, Riverside 0
The top-seeded Explorers (17-0-1) got big games from Sam Robledo (two goals, two assists) and Parker Mainiar (one goal, one assist) to win the Northeast 3 District over the 22nd-seeded Beavers (4-12-1). Ian Katz, Will Hallis and Brayden Talion scored goals. Andrew Hensley and Logan Honniball added assists. Hudson plays North Ridgeville on Wednesday at Nordonia.
Walsh Jesuit 7, Cuyahoga Falls 0
Andrew Conti (three goals, one assist), Evan Litras (two goals, one assist), Brady Contanzarite (two assists), Jonathan Christen (one goal), Noah Pellegrini (one goal), Josh Novak (two assists) and Jake Maher (assist) led the second-seeded Warriors (14-3-2) over the 18th-seeded Black Tigers (8-8-3). It helped Walsh win the Northeast 5 District. Contanzarite set school records for career assists (55) and career goals (46). The Warriors will play Solon (11-7) on Wednesday in Niles.
Revere 2, Howland 1 (OT)
Jacob Thomas scored a goal one minute into overtime to lift the third-seeded Minutemen (15-3-1) over the 12th-seeded Tigers (13-4-2). Joe Brown scored a goal near the start of the second half to begin the rally in the Northeast 3 District final. Revere will play Westlake (16-2-1) on Wednesday at Byers Field in Parma.
Twinsburg 2, Rocky River 0
Mario Sanders and Devin Couch scored goals for the second-seeded Tigers (18-2) in a victory over the 10th-seeded Pirates (13-4-2) for the Northeast 4 District title. Gavin Varnum and Evan Schneeman added assists for Twinsburg, which will play University School (11-4-4) on Wednesday at Streetsboro.
Walsh Jesuit 4, St. Joseph Academy 1
The road to the state title still goes through the top-seeded Warriors (18-0), who dispatched the Jaguars (10-6-2). Abby Witkiewicz (two), Hannah Pachan and Ciara Santiago scored goals to win the Northeast 1 District. Walsh plays Jackson (9-3-3) on Tuesday at Twinsburg.
Hudson 8, Shaker Heights 0
Alyssa Maniar notched a hat trick for the top-seeded Explorers (14-2) and Ava Bell, Mady Cline, Maya Lake, Katie England and Peyton Pierce scored goals in a win over the 21st-seeded Red Raiders (2-13-1) in the Northeast 1 District. Hudson plays Amherst (13-4-2) on Tuesday in Niles.
The seventh-seeded Comets beat eighth-seeded Green 2-1 to reach regional for the first time in school history.
Hoban 2, Wadsworth 1
Abigail Alden scored with 14 minutes left to lift the third-seeded Knights (14-3-1) over the 10th-seeded Grizzlies (10-7-2) to win the Division 5 District final. Claire Londa opened the scoring for Hoban, which picked up assists from Kate Wiedt and Taylor Sakowicz. Abby Wypasek scored for Wadsworth. Hoban plays Toledo St. Ursula (9-5-3) on Tuesday at Firelands.
Twinsburg 3, Nordonia 0
The second-seeded Tigers (14-2-2) beat the 16th-seeded Knights (6-11-1) to win the Northeast 6 District title. Camryn Pucky (two goals), Giana Taylor (one goal, one assist) and Kayla Cellura (assist) logged at least a point for Twinsburg, which will play Avon (11-4-3) on Tuesday at Copley.
Highland 8, North Olmsted 0
The top-seeded Hornets (18-1-1) rolled to their second straight regional semifinal with goals from Avalynn Price (two), Marit McLaughlin, Camille Hostettler, Grace Madison, Vanessa Zufall, Grace Shondel and Hailey Regovich in a Northeast 5 District final. Jillian Clark (two), Zufall and Shondel added helpers against the 21st-seeded Eagles (12-5-2). Highland will play Ontario (13-6-1) at Lexington on Tuesday.
Bay 1, CVCA 0
A goal in the first half by Emery Aschenbrener held up for the third-seeded Rockets (18-0-2) against the No. 11 Royals (12-5-3) in a Northeast 1 District final. Bay plays Louisville/Aurora on Tuesday in Boardman.
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival
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