Regional Finals For Boys Soccer Tonight For Eastside, Buchholz

The Buchholz Bobcats welcome the Oviedo Lions Tuesday night to the Jonesville Complex for the Class 5A Region 1 regional final. Buchholz is competing in its first regional final since 2000, defeated Spruce Creek 2-0 in the regional quarterfinals and Mandarin out of Jacksonville 1-0 in the regional semifinals. In the regional quarterfinal, Oviedo beat Cypress Creek 2-1 and then had a 2-1 overtime scare against Timber Creek. Bobcats coach Andy Aulick talks about the upcoming matchup.

Forward Eric West leads Buchholz with 17 goals and 11 assists followed by junior Diego Fisher and senior Louis Allen, who both have 10 goals. The Bobcats have allowed just 17 goals in 22 games and goalkeeper Hunter Patrick has recorded back to back shutouts this postseason.

In the Class 3A Region 2 matchup, undefeated Sunlake is taking on Eastside at home. Sunlake defeated Mitchell 4-2 in the regional quarterfinals and then Pasco 2-0 in the regional semifinals. Eastside beat Leesburg handily 4-1, then Citrus 2-0, to reach the regional finals. Eastside coach Ron Messick talks about unbeaten Sunlake.

The Rams have reached the regional finals for the second straight season, and this will also be the second straight season they will see a Pasco County team.  Sophomore Joseph Malu, leads the team with 24 goals on the season. For the Seahawks, senior forward Connor Gilboy has 60 goals this season, setting a Pasco County record for goals in a season, breaking the mark that stood for 13 years.

Lafayette is at Maitland Orangewood Christian for the Class 1A Region 2 regional final. Orangewood rocked Christ’s Church Academy 5-0, then St. Joseph 1-0 (winning 3-2 in penalty kicks.) Lafayette went through Franklin County 5-0, then Maclay 4-1, marking the second straight season the Hornets have advanced to the regional finals. Sophomore striker Jose Diaz leads the team with 38 goals.

All games start tonight at 7 p.m.