Keith Pompey: 7 teams close in on Pa. soccer titles

Today, seven Southeastern Pennsylvania soccer teams will attempt to advance to the PIAA state championships. As many as five teams can advance, since two semifinals feature all-area matchups.

Here's a look at the games involving area teams:

Downingtown West (24-1) vs. Neshaminy (16-6-2), at West Chester East, 7 p.m.

I'm sticking with my prediction that the Whippets will win the state title. But I nearly changed my mind. Neshaminy has been playing with a lot of grit and determination. The Redskins are also motivated to beat Downingtown West for the first time in this season's three meetings. The Whippets won't have goalkeeper Bobby Rosato, who is serving a one-game suspension after receiving a red card in the quarterfinals. But the Whippets will still have the best players on the field in defender Brian Forgue and forward Joe Sales.

Pick:

Whippets win again.

Central Bucks East (19-4-1) vs. Peters Township (19-5), at Chambersburg, 6 p.m.

The Peters Township Indians defeated an undermanned Patriots squad, 2-0, in last season's state quarterfinals. Three Central Bucks East starters missed that game with injuries. Two others played at less than full speed. Now healthy, the Patriots are eager to avenge the setback. But, like last season, the Indians are big, strong and tough to beat. Peters Township has won 17 of its last 18 matches, and senior midfielder Christian Brandsteller, a speedster, had two goals in Saturday's quarterfinal win.

Pick:

Patriots squeak by.

Midd-West (19-1-2) vs. Pottsgrove (17-3), at Hersheypark Stadium, 6 p.m.

This was an unlikely state semifinal matchup a month ago. Before this season, neither team had a state tournament victory. Heck, the Pottsgrove Falcons hadn't even played in a state tournament game. But here they are, one victory away from playing for a state title. Pottsgrove has looked good in its state tournament debut, posting victories over Archbishop Wood and Fleetwood. One could argue, however, that the Mustangs have been more impressive, knocking off Palmyra, the defending state champion, in the quarterfinals.

Pick:

Midd-West survives.

Christopher Dock (17-3-3) vs. Camp Hill (23-2-1), Exeter Township, 7 p.m.

Camp Hill made two early-round victories look easy, outscoring East Juniata and Mountain View by a combined 7-0. Camp Hill, last season's state runner-up, has a stingy defense to go with an explosive offense. The Lions have shut out 17 of their last 20 opponents. It will be hard to shut out the Pioneers. Standouts Jon Rajabi, Zach Medine, Adam Moyer and Matt Higgins are primed to lead Christopher Dock to its fourth state title in this decade.

Pick:

Christopher Dock in a close one.

Downingtown West (23-2) vs. Conestoga (21-2-1), at West Chester East, 5 p.m.

This matchup features the previous two state champions. The Whippets have won 14 straight matches since a 3-2 loss to Pennington School (N.J.), a national power, on Sept. 24. Don't expect the defending state champion Pioneers to be intimidated. Conestoga took a 4-3 overtime victory in the teams' Sept. 19 meeting. The game also features two of the state's premier players in Downingtown West forward-midfielder Stephanie Myers and Conestoga midfielder Murphee Greeley.

Pick:

The Whippets avenge the earlier setback.