Reporter Joe Saade breaks down each boys soccer Coastal and Atlantic Conference semifinal matches.
Coastal Conference seeds
- First Colonial (6-0)
- Ocean Lakes (5-1)
- Cox (4-2)
- Landstown (2-2-2)
Matchups
1. First Colonial vs. 4. Landstown, 5:15 p.m., Monday at Sportsplex
The undefeated Patriots have already clinched a 6A South Region berth and don’t have much at stake, but they would certainly like to extend their unbeaten run. Landstown needed some help on the final day — a win against Bayside and a Kellam loss to Cox — to clinch the No. 4 seed. Regardless, the Eagles are dancing, and they put up a good fight in a 1-0 loss to the Patriots in their regular season match Tuesday. First Colonial’s offense was relatively quiet (four goals in its final three games) against solid defensive teams down the stretch after erupting for 23 goals in its first three conference tilts. The Eagles will need to play their best on both sides of the field to pull off an upset.
2. Ocean Lakes vs. 3. Cox, 7 p.m., Monday at Sportsplex
The Dolphins’ only loss of the season came to First Colonial by one goal. Ocean Lakes beat Cox 1-0 in the team’s conference opener in late April. When the Dolphins click offensively, they’re as potent as any group. The Falcons have made a habit of keeping their matches close. Five of their six conference games were decided by one goal. Cox’s two 1-0 losses came to the Dolphins and Patriots. They’ve won three 1-0 conference games. The young Falcons are capable of pulling of an upset, but they’ll have to overcome a Dolphins team that can explode at any moment.
Atlantic Conference seeds
- Hickory (7-0)
- Princess Anne (6-1)
- Maury (5-2)
- Kempsville (4-3)
Matchups
1. Hickory vs 4. Kempsville, Wednesday at Hickory High
Hickory closed its undefeated regular season (16-0) with a 1-0 win against Princess Anne to clinch an automatic berth in the 5A South Region tournament. Kempsville closed its regular season on a three-game winning streak and squeaked into the final tournament spot with a win and an Indian River loss on Thursday. The Chiefs will have their hands full against a streaking Hawks group that shut them out 3-0 last month.
2. Princess Anne vs. 3. Maury, Wednesday at Hickory High
Princess Anne opened conference play with a 1-0 win over Maury in their only regular season match. The Cavaliers were dominant in conference play, outscoring opponents 28-1 in six straight wins before their 1-0 loss to Hickory on Thursday for the conference crown. The Commodores have won five straight after early losses to the Cavaliers and Hawks. Cavaliers keeper Duncan Wrenn has proven to play well in elimination games dating to last year’s deep playoff run.
