The Mason-Dixon Men's Soccer League playoffs get under way today with both Carroll County teams advancing to postseason play.
The Westminster Wolves come in as the fourth seed after an 8-2-1 mark during the regular season. They will play host to fifth seed McConnellsburg, Pa.
After a 1-4 start, the North Carroll Arrows (5-6-1) went 4-2 in the second half of the season to qualify as the seventh seed. They will travel to second seed Chambersburg, Pa. Both games are scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
The Wolves made some noise late in the season last year by
reaching the semifinals and carried it over into this season.
Eddie DeVincent, a Liberty High grad, is the Wolves' big gun up front with 14 goals and three assists -- second best in the league.
Not far behind is his brother, Mike, a first-year player with the Wolves who is fourth in the league in scoring with nine goals and six assists. He won't be eligible to play in today's game, however, due to a red-card violation in the regular season.
Westminster and McConnellsburg (6-3-2) had little problem putting goals on the board in their regular-season match, battling to a 7-7 tie. Striker Eddie DeVincent isn't expecting that much scoring this time around.
"We'll definitely have to be on the top of our game," he said. "They have a lot of firepower up front and their speed can give us some problems. Our defense will have to be ready."
The Arrows also will have their hands full against Chambersburg The teams met in the regular-season finale at North Carroll, with Chambersburg coming away with a 3-1 win.
After a scoreless first half, Chambersburg took control with three goals before the Arrows scored late on a penalty kick.
Arrows coach Ross Burbage hopes the return of injured forward Marty Rill -- the league's fifth-leading scorer with nine goals and three assists -- will help improve things up front.
"Marty is our fastest and most active player up front," Burbage said. "Last week, we were a bit stagnant in front without him and that's when we get into trouble."
The return of sweeper Joe Miller also should bolster the Arrows' defense, but Burbage knows it will take a near-perfect game for the Arrows to advance.
"They're a very strong team and we're going to have to mark much better than we did last week," he said. "They run well off the ball and I think if we can hold our marks instead of standing still, we can frustrate them."
Chambersburg is led by the league's leading scorer Bob Sleighter (14 goals, four assists) and Chad Divens, who ranks third (eight goals, 11 assists).