A rising Bulldogs team enters postseason play
The Otsego Bulldogs girls soccer team enters the 2026 MHSAA playoffs ranked No. 6 in Division 2 in the state, according to the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association rankings released on May 18.
The Bulldogs climbed three spots from No. 9 the previous week, earning their highest state ranking of the season as postseason competition begins.
Rivalry win fuels the surge
Otsego's climb followed a 2-1 victory over rival Plainwell on May 6 at Otsego High School. The win came in a matchup between two state-ranked teams and featured a game-winning goal from a sophomore forward, according to MLive sports coverage.
"Otsego took down rival Plainwell, 2-1, in a state-ranked girls soccer showdown on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Otsego High School in Otsego, Mich."
That result helped lift the Bulldogs above Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (No. 7), Orchard Lake St. Mary's (No. 8), and Ada Forest Hills Eastern (No. 9) in the Week 9 rankings published by the Cheboygan News.
Where Otsego stands in Division 2
Here are the top 11 teams in Division 2 heading into the playoffs:
- 1.Hudsonville Unity Christian
- 2.Richard Gull Lake
- 3.Bloomfield Hills Marian
- 4.Grand Rapids South Christian
- 5.DeWitt
- 6.Otsego
- 7.Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
- 8.Orchard Lake St. Mary's
- 9.Ada Forest Hills Eastern
- 10.New Boston Huron
- 11.Plainwell
Rival Plainwell sits at No. 11 in the same division.
Building on last year's district title run
The Bulldogs are looking to build on a memorable 2025 season that saw them stun powerhouse Gull Lake in the district final, according to MLive. That run to a district title established Otsego as a competitive force in Division 2.
The MIHSSCA rankings are compiled weekly by coaches across the state and serve as a benchmark for team performance heading into tournament play. Hudsonville Unity Christian holds the No. 1 spot in Division 2, followed by Richard Gull Lake and Bloomfield Hills Marian.
Otsego's rise to No. 6 puts the Bulldogs in the top tier of Division 2 competition as the MHSAA postseason gets underway.