Ohio's state soccer championships will return to the Columbus Crew's downtown stadium in November, sending Mason and Kings families to a different Columbus venue if either program reaches the finals.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) announced Monday, Oct. 5, that all 10 title games will be played at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The games had been held at Historic Crew Stadium for the past three seasons. Turf maintenance at that facility will prevent it from hosting fall and winter events, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
The OHSAA said in a news release that the move ensures quality pitch conditions and a strong experience for players and fans, according to the Dispatch.
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, then known as Lower.com Field, hosted the finals in 2021 and 2022 during its first two years of operation. The games returned to Historic Crew Stadium in 2023. That older venue had been the tournament's home every year since opening in 1999, apart from those two seasons.
Mason competes in Division I for both boys and girls soccer. Kings competes in Division II.
The girls finals run Nov. 13-14. Division I plays at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. The boys finals run Nov. 15-16. Division I kicks off at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, and Division II plays at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, according to the Journal-News.
Both Mason programs enter the postseason push with momentum. Junior Aldo Dokouzov scored two goals in a 4-1 win over Colerain in early September and was named Mason's male athlete of the week by the Cincinnati Enquirer. Sophomore Liana Kim had three goals and an assist in an 8-0 win over Colerain the same week. Mason's boys beat Lakota West 3-0 on Sept. 22, and the girls topped Lakota West 4-2 on Sept. 24, according to Enquirer scores.
Kings senior Delaney Kelheher scored a goal in a 2-1 win over West Clermont in early September.
The Southwest District tournament draw is set for Sunday, Oct. 11. Sectional play begins Oct. 19, with district, regional and semifinal rounds following before the state finals open Nov. 13 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, per the OHSAA's tournament calendar.
Mason's boys close the regular season Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Sycamore. The girls wrap up Saturday, Oct. 17 at Anderson.
