Oct. 11-- EAST GRAND RAPID, MI The regular season came to an end this past Tuesday with the most complete effort from goal to forward line. The 3-0 dismantling of a quality opponent in Bloomfield Hills, gives the team firm footing from which to spring into action as they take to the pitch on Monday in a first-round regional match up against the Hartland Eagles. This season is the first in which field hockey is being sanctioned as an MHSAA sport. This led to a number of changes in how the State playoffs would be conducted. First, and probably the biggest change, is that there are no longer two divisions. In the past, Division 1 consisted of all schools with 1100 or more students. Division 2 was the remaining schools. Size-wise, EGR fell just north of the fifty percent line in terms of student population in Division 2. This year, that is of no consequence as MHSAA has decided to conduct the playoffs merely as one division. All thirty-six teams will be competing for the championship. The teams have been arranged into four regions. East will be competing in the West Region (also called Region 1). With the lack of a full compliment of teams on the west-side of the state, Brighton, Pinckney, Grand Blanc and Hartland were also placed in Region 1 based on geographical proximity along with OK Conference foes Rockford, Spring Lake and Hudsonville. To complete the regions, the top four teams in the state (based on MHSAA Power Rankings (MPR)) were then spread amongst the four regions as the top seed. Saline is the number 1 seed in Region 1 having gone 14-1-2 this season. After the top seed is selected (and if they come from a different region), the number 2 seed is drawn based on the MPR of the teams already placed in the region. Even though EGR out-muscled Rockford to earn the title as OK Conference champ, the Lady Rams' MPR earned them the second overall seed in the West Region. This makes the path a bit tougher for EGR to work through, but Coach Kelsey Chun has lofty goals- play in the State finals on October 25 at Northville HS. To do that, East will have to face tough competition in multiple rounds. Coach Chun has always counseled the girls that great play starts between the ears. If you can be mentally tough with the ebb and flow of a quarter, a game, a season, you can manage the stress that comes along with increased pressure of win-or-go-home playoff stakes. All season, the Lady Pioneers have been preaching to each other to stay in the moment, ride the wave of emotions that come throughout a game, and remain focused on the immediate task. Now, the team's ability to take it one quarter at a time and one game at a time will be tested. However, this team can do that. Their play makes them a worthy opponent for any team in the state as they have been competitive against all opposition this year. The march toward the finals began this Saturday with a 7:15 AM practice even before the sun came rose over Reed's Lake and Memorial Stadium. With that kind of dedication to themselves, their teammates, and their community, the Lady Pioneers, regardless of where the playoff run goes for the team, have proven themselves to be imbued with the character Coach Chun wants for each member of the program: a toughness that each player has within themselves. Because what goes on between the ears is up to the individual. Cheer on your Lady Pioneers Field Hockey team with good wishes and support as they head to Hartland on Monday, Oct. 13 for a game at 6 PM. The bus will leave from Gerken Plaza at 2:45 PM. Come and give them an EGR send-off. Stay tuned for more information about dates and times of subsequent rounds. GO EAST!