SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson, Buhler and McPherson will each take the field Thursday evening in their respective girls soccer regional championship matchups.
Class 5A — Hutchinson at Maize South, 7 p.m.
Hutchinson High (11-6-0) travels to Maize South (14-2-0) for a Class 5A regional title match. The Salthawks advanced with a 7-2 victory over Goddard on Tuesday at the Salthawk Soccer Complex, while the Mavericks cruised past Arkansas City, 12-0.
Maize South, the No. 3 seed in the west, won the regular-season meeting between the two teams on April 29, 4-0. The Mavericks feature the sixth-highest scoring offense in Class 5A with 94 goals, averaging 5.5 per match. Hutchinson, the No. 6 seed, ranks in the middle of the class in goals scored but boasts one of the better defenses, allowing the 10th fewest goals statewide.
Class 4-1A — Buhler vs. Mulvane, 6 p.m.
Fourth-seeded Buhler (12-5-0) will host fifth-seeded Mulvane (11-6-0) in a compelling regional final at Crusader Stadium.
The Crusaders defeated No. 13 Winfield 8-0 on Monday, while the Wildcats blanked No. 12 Wichita Collegiate, 12-0. Buhler owns one of the stingiest defenses in Class 4-1A, allowing the fifth fewest goals in the classification. Mulvane counters with firepower, ranking third in goals scored statewide.
Buhler edged Mulvane in their regular-season meeting on April 3, 2-1.
Class 4-1A — McPherson vs. Topeka-Hayden, 6:30 p.m.
McPherson (11-5-0), the No. 3 seed, will open its postseason with a home match against No. 6 seed Topeka-Hayden (9-7-0) at 6:30 p.m.
The Bullpups received a first-round bye. The Wildcats advanced with an 8-0 shutout over No. 11 Towanda-Circle on Tuesday in Topeka.