Soccer: Conference semifinals, final set in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties — Jan. 19

The regular season in boys and girls wraps up this week with conference championship matches for public school teams in Hillsborough and Pinellas County. Here is a look at the matchups. 

Boys soccer

Western Conference semifinals
Newsome (13-2) at Plant (15-1), tonight, 8

This is a rematch of a contest the Panthers won 3-2 in November. Both teams are currently ranked in the top 10 in Class 7A by MaxPreps (the Wolves are No. 9 and the Panthers are No. 3). They could end up meeting each other again in the postseason. 

King (10-8) at Bloomingdale (13-2), tonight, 8

This is the first meeting of the season between the teams. The Lions are trying to rebound after being shut out in their last two matches. Getting the offense back on track could be tough against the Bulls, who have allowed just 11 goals all season. 

Pinellas County Athletic Conference final
St. Petersburg (12-3-2) at East Lake (10-5), Friday, 7

Both teams are squaring for the first time this season. After starting the season 9-0-2, the Green Devils have gone 3-3 in their last six matches. Each of the three losses have been by a goal. The host Eagles have recovered from a pair of one-goal losses earlier this month to win two straight.

Girls soccer

Western Conference semifinals
Wharton (8-4) at Plant (10-1-1), tonight, 6

The host Panthers won the first meeting 3-0. Plant’s only loss was to Newsome in the season opener. Since then, the Panthers have allowed just seven goals. The Wildcats had their six-match win streak snapped with a loss to Alonso last week. Wharton also has been stingy, allowing just 10 goals all season. 

Newsome (12-3) at Durant (14-2), tonight, 6

The host Cougars won the first meeting 3-1. Since that loss, the Wolves have won seven straight matches, outscoring foes by a combined 31-0 during that streak. After starting 13-0, the Cougars have gone 1-2 in their last three matches. Both teams could end up playing again in next week’s Class 7A, District 6 tournament.  

Pinellas County Athletic Conference final
St. Petersburg (11-6) at Palm Harbor University (13-0), tonight, 7

The undefeated Hurricanes are ranked No. 2 in 7A, No. 8 overall in the state and No. 15 nationally by MaxPreps. Their perfect record includes a dominating 9-1 over the Green Devils last month. For St. Petersburg to pull off the upset, it will have to generate some offense, a tough task considering Palm Harbor University has allowed just four goals all season.