Unlike the previous two appearances, the Vikings' role was reversed. Last season, Academy was the second seed and in 2007 the Vikings were the district's top seed.

This season, fourth-seeded Academy, who returned only two starters from last season's team, was facing one-loss and second-seeded Grandview.

Yet the result remained the same.

The Vikings stunned the Bobcats 3-0 behind the speed of Academy attacker Tim Eldridge that set up three second-half goals,.

Academy advanced to a regional semifinal last Tuesday against Worthington Christian. The winner plays in a regional final Saturday at Warsaw River View against Berlin Hiland or South Webster. A state semifinal is Tuesday at a site to be determined.

"I've been so pleased with this team because we have six players back from last year's team and only three were starters," coach Ron Leach said. "This is almost a completely new team. Last year we graduated 12 seniors.

"The credit goes to them being diligent, working hard and being patient with each other. The would learn a little big more each day as they progress in the season."

Eldridge, who scored three goals in a 5-0 district semifinal win over Madison Christian on Oct. 28, assisted on the Vikings first goal last Saturday. Five minutes later, he drew a penalty inside Grandview's goal box, setting up a penalty shot for Andrew Martin. Finally, with eight minutes remaining Eldridge finished Academy's scoring.

"I don't play soccer year-round so I don't have the skills like some of the other guys," Eldridge said. "But I try to use my speed to get around people.

"(The district title) means a lot. We lost a lot of seniors last year and no one expected us to do too much. Our team chemistry allowed us to do a lot better this year than we thought."

Academy's last two seasons ended in a regional semifinal to Worthington Christian. Last season, the Vikings lost 1-0 and in 2007 they lost 2-1.

Berlin Hiland reached a regional semifinal by beating Lynchburg-Clay 5-0 last Saturday to improve to 14-2-4. On the same day, South Webster beat Minford 3-2 as the Jeeps improved to 18-1. Academy has not played either team.

In three district tournament games, Academy has outscored its opponents 13-1 and Leach credited his two center backs Gebby Keny and Clay Hoster.

"Our defense has really worked on staying compact," Leach said. "I got two great leaders back there and they've shown a lot of leadership all year."

•The field hockey team will make its 12th state appearance after the Vikings defeated Thomas Worthington 2-1 on the strength of a 4-1 advantage in penalty strokes in a state-qualifying final last Saturday.

Dina Sinno, Taylor Long, Clarissa Leickly and Mia Wise converted penalty strokes for the Vikings.

Academy improved to 12-2-1 plays Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown on Friday at Upper Arlington. Watterson plays Cincinnati St. Ursula in the other semifinal. The state final is Saturday at Upper Arlington.

Academy lost to Hathaway Brown 3-1 in a state final last season.

"We lost to them in an unfortunate matchup in the state final last year where we didn't play well," coach Anne Horton said. "So our kids are pumped to be playing them again."

After losing two of three games in late September to drop to 4-2-1, Academy has won eight consecutive games, including postseason wins over Dublin Scioto (3-0 on Oct. 26) and Toledo Ottawa Hills (3-1 on Oct. 28).

"I'm just ecstatic because the team has come from a lot. In the middle of the season, we just weren't very good," Horton said. "We were dropping games we shouldn't have been dropping, and the girls just refused to give up. The seniors dug their heels in and made the team believe in itself. And from the last time we played (Thomas Worthington) at the end of September, this team has just evolved into a championship team."

•The cross country team had two representatives at the Division III regional meet at Pickerington North last Saturday. Sophomore Jon Michael Hilsheimer finished ninth in 17 minutes, 54.01 seconds. He competes at the state meet Saturday at Scioto Downs.

"We had state in our sights from the early part of the season," Academy coach Mike Ramseyer said. "He's a very intelligent runner and he knows how to race."

Hilsheimer played soccer last season, but a successful track season that took him to the state meet in the 1,600-meters and as a member of the 1,600 and 3,200 relays changed his fall outlook from soccer to cross country.

"We knew we had something special during track season," Ramseyer said. "He has lighting speed and going into the state meet we're looking to sharpen and maintain what we already have and make sure nothing goes wrong."

On the girls side, Margaret Coons appeared in her second consecutive regional meet. She finished 80th in 23:55.27.