Last Saturday's 1-0 victory over DeSales was the program's fourth district title in five seasons. For the Golden Bears, it was just another step in trying to return to a state semifinal.

"We know at this point in the season teams are going to come hard at us," said forward Michela Paradiso, who scored the winning shot with 8 minutes, 50 seconds left in the first half. "We know teams are going to try anything to stop us. We've just been working to vary our attack and get better."

UA was 16-1-2 overall before playing Marietta last Wednesday in a regional semifinal.

DeSales, which last appeared in a district final in 2005 and lost to UA, thought it tied the game at 1 on a corner kick with 32:52 left in the second half, but referees nullified the goal after calling a handball.

The win over the Stallions marked the team's fourth consecutive shutout and 15th of the season. The Golden Bears had outscored opponents 63-4.

"Our defense has been very strong and right now we're the healthiest we've been and it's coming at the right time," coach Mark Wise said. "I've told them all year long if they can't score they can't beat you and the girls are really stepping up and playing some of their best soccer."

The winner of last Wednesday's regional semifinal advances to face Dublin Coffman or Pickerington North at 12 p.m. Saturday at Dublin Scioto.

The Golden Bears faced both teams during the regular season and earned a 1-0 victory over Coffman (11-5-3) on Oct. 13 to secure the OCC-Central Division championship.

UA and North (15-2-2) played to a 1-all tie on Oct. 8.

A year ago, the Golden Bears fell to Hilliard Davidson 2-1 during the regular season and avenged the loss with a 1-0 victory in a regional final.

"It's always dangerous when you've played a team before," Paradiso said. "Both teams are very athletic and they have a lot of skill."

Saturday's winner advances to the state semifinals at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hilliard Bradley.

Huber Heights Wayne (19-1-0), Cincinnati Turpin (12-4-4), Centerville (18-1-1) and defending state champion Cincinnati St. Ursula (18-1-0), a team that defeated UA 3-0 in one of last season's state semifinals, are the possible opponents.

"I would be shocked if St. Ursula didn't make it back to the semifinals, although, Strongsville was taken out by Medina (4-0 in a district final)," Wise said. "You never know what can happen."

•The boys team had hoped to knock off third-seeded Olentangy Liberty in a district semifinal on Oct. 28, but it failed to convert any of its scoring opportunities in the 4-0 defeat.

"We had a ton of opportunities, but their goalkeeper was having a great night," forward Daniel Palmer said. "I think we might've even had more opportunities to score than they did, but we just couldn't capitalize on any of them."

UA, which ended the season at 9-6-3 overall, reached the regional semifinals a year ago.

Liberty (13-3-1) fell to Dublin Jerome 3-1 in a district final last Saturday.