Local Sports Journal

The battle between two state-ranked boys soccer teams lived up to its billing.

After 80 minutes of intense soccer, No. 3 Whitehall held on for a 2-1 victory over No. 4-ranked Orchard View in a game played at Montague on Wednesday.

Ray Copley and Andrew Jennings scored goals in the latter stages of the first half.

Carlos Nunez pulled OV to within a goal in the second half, but the Vikings’ defense, along with goaltender Isaac Love, hung on for the victory.

Whitehall moves on to the district final game against Ludington, a 5-0 winner over Shelby.

The finals are at noon Saturday at Montague.