The MHSFHL playoffs are underway and the two defending state champions are on course for a return trip to the championship game.
Pioneer, the defending Division 1 champion, opened its defense run with an easy 8-0 win over Plymouth Canton on Thursday. Lilian Soldan continues her incredible season with four goals and an assist in the win. The senior had 14 goals and six assists in Pioneer’s 10 regular-season games.
Lena Hammerman, Grace Grabowski, Lily Boardman and Alexis Heys added goals for Pioneer. June Galban had two assists. Iseul Park and Bridget Schaeffer shared the shutout for the winners.
Top-seeded Pioneer advances to play Hartland at 5 p.m. on Monday at Dearborn High in a quarterfinal round. Pioneer will host a semifinal game on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Huron, the fourth seed, faces Edsel Ford on Friday (Oct. 18) in a first-round game. Saline, the second seed, survived a 1-0 win over Bloomfield Hills in a first-round game.
Division 2
Dexter, the defending Division 2 state champions, opened its title defense with a 4-0 win over Mercy on Thursday.
Claire Dubuque had a big night for the Dreads. The junior had two goals and two assists. Lillian Mitchell and Maddie Walsh also scored for Dexter. Allie St. Amour and Addison Zogaib had assists in the win. Audrey Owen-Smith had the shutout in goal as Dexter’s defense allowed just one shot.
The No. 1 seeded Dreadnaughts face Skyline in a quarterfinal game at 7 p.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 22) at Skyline. The Eagles defeated St. Catherine 4-1 in their first round game.
The winner of the Dexter-Skyline game will face the winner of Cranbrook-Father Gabriel Richard at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Chelsea.
