Oct. 3- ANN ARBOR, MI Unless a player takes her game to the next level, the opportunity to step on a college field hockey aqua turf is reserved to post-game meet and greets with college players or the occasional field hockey clinic. So when EGR got the opportunity to host Ann Arbor-Huron on the University of Michigan Phyllis Ocker Field last Friday, Coach Kelsey Chun jumped at the chance for the experience during the EGR Field Hockey Program's annual Ann Arbor overnight trip. The Lady Pioneers enjoyed the encounter, but not necessarily the result. Seeing the block E on the scoreboard would have looked much better with some crooked numbers next to it, but the River Rats seemed to have the Lady Pioneers' number on this chilly afternoon. The game was evenly played throughout as the ball seemed to reside the majority of the match between the twenty-five yard lines. Neither team had many scoring chances and not many penalty corners were awarded. However, in the first half, the River Rats were able to slot home a drive from the top right of the East defensive circle. The ball was just beyond the stretch of goalie Ellie Hilgendorf ('26). Despite the massive push in the second half, EGR was unable to find the equalizer. The gut-wrenching 1-0 set back fortunately did not have any impact on the seedings for the MHSAA State tournament, which were announced on-line prior to the start of the contest. The EGR Lady Pioneers will see their road to a State championship go through the West Region (Region 1). OK Conference foes Rockford, Hudsonville and Spring Lake, as well as Region 1 top seed and number two ranked squad in the state, Saline, and geographically proximal Pinckney, Brighton, Hartland and Grand Blanc round out the Region 1 field. Ann Arbor-Pioneer, Dexter, and Chelsea received the other three top seeds for the other regions. Should the Lady Pioneers emerge from the West Region, they most likely would get a rematch from earlier this season with Dexter. However, with the win-or-go-home format of a State tournament, all types of things can happen. After the contest, Ann Arbor-Huron graciously hosted a pre-game tailgate to share some post-game fellowship and laughs. After some belly-filling food, the two teams both re-entered the stadium to watch the University of Michigan clash with Penn State in a B1G match. The Wolverines downed the Nittany Lions in a spirited match-up of two teams ranked in the top 20 nationally. After one last regular season match up versus Bloomfield Hills on Oct. 7, the Lady Pioneers will begin preparing for their first round contest on the road against the Hartland Eagles. That game will take place on Monday, Oct. 13 with a 6 PM pass back. Cheer on your Lady Pioneers and wish them luck as they begin their quest to bring home East Grand Rapid High School's 157th state championship. GO EAST!