The final few weeks of the high school soccer season are here, and many teams around Lexington County are looking to better their standing before the playoffs. 

Entering this week, 11 local teams are in contention to win their region title, and plenty more have a path to 0.500 or better. 

Chapin’s boys and Lexington’s girls are in the driver’s seat for the local 5A region. The Eagles started this week (5-0) in region with a game advantage over Lexington’s boys. 

In their first meeting this season, Chapin handed Lexington its first and only loss so far this season. It was a 3-1 win for the Eagles. 

That lone goal in the Lexington game is the only goal Chapin has allowed in region play this year. The team beat its other conference competition by a combined score of 23-0. 

Lexington will look to even the score and force a tie for first in the rematch game next week on April 14.

Lexington and Chapin are the only boys teams left in contention for the title. Dutch Fork and River Bluff have identical (3-3) records and are fighting for third. Irmo and White Knoll are at the bottom. 

Lexington’s girls have displayed a similar dominance as Chapin’s boys through their first six region games. 

The Wildcats are (6-0) in conference and (12-1-2) overall. River Bluff and Chapin are the only teams in reach, sitting one and two games back. 

Lexington has not allowed a single goal in conference play, outscoring teams 31-0. For the season, Lexington has only given up four goals. 

While the Wildcats have the lead now, River Bluff and Chapin both have the talent to make a push. They’ve also only allowed four goals each this season. 

In the lower classifications, both of Gray’s teams are in a position to contend. 

The boys have a slight advantage in the standings, with an (8-1) record. The War Eagles are a game over South Aiken and North Augusta. 

Gray’s girls are a game back from South Aiken and are also trying to hold off pressure from Gilbert. 

Both of Swansea’s teams are also contending, with both teams starting this week tied for first in their 3A conference. 

Then, down in 2A, Batesburg-Leesville and Pelion’s boys are looking to dethrone Saluda. Both have some ground to make up, but there are plenty of opportunities to overcome the difference. 

Batesburg-Leesville is one game back, with its only loss coming in an overtime game against Saluda. Pelion is two games back and also lost to Saluda in their first meeting. 

Things will really start to ramp up in all classifications moving forward. 

Teams are beginning to play their region competition for a second time, meaning season series will either be won or tied. As the weeks progress, the list of 11 contenders will shrink and shrink. 

Upcoming games to watch

Brookland-Cayce at Waccamaw boys - April 10

White Knoll vs. Dutch Fork girls - April 14

Chapin vs. Lexington boys - April 14

Lexington vs. Chapin girls - April 14

Gray Collegiate at South Aiken boys - April 15

Gray Collegiate vs. South Aiken girls - April 15

Last week’s top performances 

Adriana Dunat finished with three goals and two assists for Lexington in a win against Irmo. 

Cade Hopp scored three goals and added an assist as Gilbert beat Lower Richland. 

Presley Morris recorded 11 saves in goal for Dutch Fork in a 1-0 win versus Irmo. 

Charlie Petroff had nine saves in Gray Collegiate’s 1-0 win against Brookland-Cayce. 

Victoria Coleman scored three goals as Gray Collegiate beat Brookland-Cayce. 

Angel Gerardo finished with three goals in Batesburg-Leesville’s win over Strom Thurmond.