Hamilton Southeastern girls soccer coach Greg Davidson is used to having to survive a state-semifinals-caliber field to win a sectional title.

This year, however, that’s what it’ll take just to reach the sectional championship game.

No. 8 Hamilton Southeastern plays third-ranked Noblesville at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Zionsville, with the winner facing No. 1 Carmel or No. 7 Zionsville in the semifinals. Fishers (5-7-2) will be the favorite on the other side of the bracket and plays Lebanon at 7 p.m. Monday for a berth in the semifinals against Western Boone or University. The championship will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 17.

“It’s the first time the four giants have been on the same side of the bracket,” Davidson said. "Unfortunately, we won’t have a championship format with two of us meeting in the sectional title game. It’ll be a difficult path to get up emotionally and physically for three games.

“Whoever wins this, I take my hat off to them. Hopefully, I’ll get to keep my hat on.”

The pairing may cut down on the enthusiasm for the sectional championship game, but having four top-10 teams in the same bracket levels the playing field between them.

In 2005, Carmel, Hamilton Southeastern and Noblesville in the same bracket, and Zionsville took advantage of having an easier path by winning the title. In 2007, Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville and Zionsville occupied one side, and Carmel won the title.

“I told my team, ‘The good news is, we all have the same battle,’ " Davidson said. "All four teams have the same adversity on that side.

“Fishers is the favorite to be in that championship game, and that’ll make it a third (tough) game. You’ll have to play well to beat them even though they only won (five) games this year.”

Zionsville beat Carmel and Noblesville 1-0, and tied Hamilton Southeastern 0-0. Noblesville beat Hamilton Southeastern 2-0, and Carmel beat Noblesville 1-0. Carmel and Hamilton Southeastern did not play.

“We’ll take any advantage we can,” said Fishers coach Ben Beasley , who singled out senior Shelby Wright for leading a team that has started as many as 10 freshmen and sophomores. “(But) we’re a program that has to worry about what we do. There’s some up-and-coming programs on our side, and I wouldn’t deem us the favorite until we go out and prove it on the field.”

Hamilton Southeastern will be without leading scorer Rebecca Romaine , who suffered a knee injury against Lafayette Jeff on Sept. 16 and will be out at least two more weeks because of surgery. Hannah Miller , another top scorer, expects to return this week from a high ankle sprain. The Royals played well despite the losses with Allison Boyd stepping into a key defensive role after Elly McGuffog moved to center midfield.

“I honestly think any of (the four ranked teams) can win this sectional,” Davidson said. "I think all of us being in the top eight out of 240-some teams have proven it throughout the course of the year with the schedules we face. I think we’re all capable and have respect for each other.

“It might take a lucky bounce or play (to decide the winner), but all four of us will be prepared.”