Southwest Soccer in Semifinals Today

THE MATCH-UP
(15-3-1, 9-1-1 Minneapolis City Conference) vs. Eastview (19-0-1, 8-0-1 Northwest Suburban Conference)

CHEAT SHEET
SITE: Metrodome – Class AA semifinals
TIME: 2:00 p.m. Tuesday
LAST MEETING: This is the first meeting between the two schools.

ON THE LINE
The Lakers, the No. 4 seed faces top seed Eastview in the Clas AA semifinals. Southwest, who finished runner-up to Apple Valley last season, returns for its seventh tournament appearance. They finished No. 10 in the final coaches poll and outscored their opponents 111-23. Eastview were the No. 1 team in the final coaches poll and are making their first tournament appearance. They are averaging 2.95 goals per game while holding its opponents to 0.58 goals and have had 10 shutouts. The winner faces the victor of number three seed Eden Prairie versus Maple Grove in the title game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liban Ayanle - Southwest midfielder
The senior had a goal and an assist in the Lakers’ qaurterfinals win over Anoka.

Mathew Gweh – Eastview attacker
The junior led Eastview with 25 goals and eight assists.. He scored both goals in the 2-1 quarterfinal win over Rochester Mayo. Gweh has scored a goal in 16 of 20 games this year and had four goals in a 6-2 win over Bloomington Kennedy earlier this season.

LAKERS WIN IF...
They can continue their strong offensive output. They scored 55 goals in their last eleven games.

LIGHTNING WIN IF...
They can continue their strong defensive play. They allowed just 12 goals in their 20 games.