The NPSL Briefing: Regional Playoffs
Jacksonville Armada and Hickory FC still alive
Welcome to the Regional Semifinals Edition of The NPSL Briefing! Below are our preview of the first South Region Semifinal, and Conference Championship results.
Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference:
Conference Finals result:
Jacksonville Armada U23 2-0 Naples United
South Region Semifinal: Jacksonville Armada U23 vs Lubbock Matadors
Credit ActionJax News
Wednesday, July 16 at 7:00pm EST
EWC Community Field and Athletic Stadium (Jacksonville , FL; Capacity 5000)
Jacksonville comes into the match as the #5 national seed, and Lubbock is the #13 national seed. The Armada beat a very tough Naples United squad to win the Gulf Coast Sunshine championship, while the Matadors dispatched West Texas FC 4-2 to win the Lone Star title. Lubbock had finished second in the conference due to head-to-head tie-breakers, so this will be their second playoff game in a row on the road. The Matadors have a very strong defense, and they'll need it against the Armada. Jacksonville matched Lubbock defensively on the season, allowing just nine goals. But they scored seven more goals (35) than the Matadors (28). Look for Jacksonville to be strong at home and advance to the Southern Region Championship, where they'll clash with Hickory FC.
Southeast Conference:
Conference Finals result:
Hickory FC 0-1 Appalachian FC; Hickory won in overtime in front of a crowd of 5758 fans. Owen Chapman posted a great recap after the game:
HICKORY FC WINS SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE TITLE 1-0 AGAINST APPALACHIAN FC IN EXTRA TIME, PUNCHES TICKET TO NPSL REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
Hickory, N.C.-- It’s one of the oldest clichés in sports for a reason: It’s tough to beat the same team three times in a season. Especially when that third matchup comes in a win or go home situation — and the opposing team happens to be your fiercest rival.
Credit NPSL
Hickory FC defeated Appalachian FC to win the Southeast Conference Championship, and await the winner of the Armada/Matadors game. Hickory will host the South Region Final on Saturday, July 19 at 7:00 EST.
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