Brackets for the MPSSAA girls soccer state playoffs were released Monday, and with many Howard County schools pitted against one another in regional play, the possibility for an upset is high.
With eight schools in the 3A classification, the East regional bracket presents the most opportunity for rival teams to get a second crack at a county foe.
In Section I, No. 4 Mt. Hebron will welcome No. 5 Long Reach. The winner will play No. 1 Poly on Oct. 29. No. 6 Digital Harbor will travel to No. 3 Centennial on Friday as well. The winner will play No. 2 City.
In Section II, No. 1 River Hill, No. 2 Reservoir and No. 3 Atholton all have a bye in the opening round. No. 5 Wilde Lake will play No. 4 Glenelg on Friday.
In regular season play, Wilde Lake defeated Glenelg, 2-0.
The winner of the Wildecats and Gladiators contest will take on River Hill in round two, while Atholton challenges Reservoir — a regular season finale rematch where the Raiders defeated the Gators, 2-0.
Both games will be on Oct. 29.
Section II guarantees an all-Howard County regional semifinalist.
In the 2A bracket, No. 5 Hammond will travel to No. 4 McDonough, and No. 3 Oakland Mills will welcome No. 6 Patuxent on Friday in Section I of the South regional opening round.
A Scorpions victory sets up a match at No. 2 Marriotts Ridge on Oct. 29. The Mustangs have a first round bye.
In regular season play, the Mustangs defeated Oakland Mills, 5-1.
The lone 4A team, No. 5 Howard, will travel to No. 4 Paint Branch Friday in Section II of the North regional bracket.
Click here for complete brackets, and follow @MattOwings for complete girls soccer playoff coverage.