Hillsdale Academy soccer reaches first regional title game since 2020

YPSILANTI — Hillsdale Academy boys soccer is one victory away from breaking through a postseason barrier that has stood in the way of the Colts throughout their historic run of district championships this decade.

More: Hillsdale Academy coach Neal Brady earns 300th win

The Colts advanced to the Division 4, Region 15 championship game with an 8-0 shutout victory over Ypsilanti Arbor Prep at Ypsilanti Lincoln High School.

The victory improved Hillsdale Academy to 15-3-2 overall and gave longtime head coach Neal Brady his 301st career win, just four days after the Colts celebrated his milestone 300th victory alongside their seventh consecutive district championship.

Senior Justin Busby led the offensive charge with five goals, continuing his impressive postseason performance after scoring the game-winner in double overtime against Jackson Christian in Friday’s district championship game.

Busby opened the scoring against Arbor Prep on an assist from Danny Rodriguez. The senior went on to find the back of the net four more times as the Colts overwhelmed the Gators.

Other goal scorers included Rodriguez, Symeon Jackson and Micah Diener, helping Hillsdale Academy secure another dominant shutout victory in the state tournament. This was the 13th shutout of the season for the Colts behind impressive play from its defensive play and junior goalkeeper Robert Whalen.

For the Colts, the convincing victory sets the stage for what could be one of the most important games in the program’s recent history.

Despite winning seven straight district championships, Hillsdale Academy has been unable to break through at the regional level. The Colts last played for a regional championship in 2020, when they fell to eventual Division 4 state champion Adrian Lenawee Christian.

Now, six years later, Hillsdale Academy will have another opportunity to add a regional trophy to its growing collection.

However, standing in the way will be a familiar postseason adversary.

Colts set for another regional showdown with University Liggett

Hillsdale Academy will face Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett in the Division 4, Region 15 championship game at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Ypsilanti Lincoln High School.

The Knights advanced with a 4-0 shutout victory over Allen Park Inter-City Baptist in Tuesday’s opening semifinal, setting up another postseason meeting between two programs that have become well acquainted over the years.

University Liggett enters the championship game undefeated at 19-0 and has yet to allow a goal during its postseason run.

The Knights defeated Hillsdale Academy 3-1 in the regular-season meeting Aug. 21 at Hayden Park, but the history between the two programs extends well beyond this year’s matchup.

In 2021, University Liggett eliminated Hillsdale Academy in a heartbreaking 3-2 regional semifinal decided in a shootout on a cold October night.

The two programs crossed paths again in last year’s regional semifinals, played on the same Ypsilanti Lincoln field that will host Thursday’s championship.

That meeting ended with another heartbreaking Colts defeat.

Hillsdale Academy held the Knights scoreless for nearly 80 minutes in cold, windy conditions before University Liggett found the game-winning goal with just 45 seconds remaining in regulation, escaping with a 1-0 victory.

The Knights went on to reach the Division 4 state championship game, where they fell to Leland in a penalty-kick shootout after finishing regulation and overtime tied 1-1.

For Hillsdale Academy, Thursday’s rematch represents an opportunity to rewrite that postseason history.

The Colts have already demonstrated an ability to avenge regular-season defeats, most recently overcoming Jackson Christian in the district championship after losing to the Royals earlier this fall.

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This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale Academy soccer reaches first regional title game since 2020