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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. ? The Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference boys soccer season enters the home stretch this week with much still unresolved. The conference tournament is just four days off and only half the eight spots have been clinched.
Incredibly, four teams are tied for the final four spots ? Greenwich, New Canaan, Westhill and Wilton, each with 26 points. Danbury, Fairfield Warde and Ridgefield are on the outside looking in, but still in the running.
Norwalk, Darien and Trumbull have officially clinched playoff spots. Staples has enough tiebreaker advantages to mathematically secure a spot as well. Here is a look at games this week that will decide the playoff picture.
Monday, Oct. 24
New Canaan at Norwalk, 7 p.m. ? New Canaan (7-2-5) has struggled to get in the win column of late and hits the road for arguably its toughest challenge this season. The Rams have won just once in the past two weeks and only three times this month. In that winless stretch, the Rams have scored more than one goal just once.
Norwalk, meanwhile, has put together arguably its finest season in recent memory as the Bears battled through several key injuries. Norwalk (12-1-1) is ranked second in the state and is especially dangerous at home, where it has outscored opponents 29-6.
Fairfield Warde at Ridgefield, 6 p.m. ? A win by either team will trim the playoff field. Warde (6-5-3) and Ridgefield (6-6-3) are tied for tenth place and both desparately need wins. And given that each is behind by five points for the final spot, both would likely be eliminated by a tie.
Danbury at Staples, 4 p.m. ? All Staples needs is a tie to put to bed any messy tiebreaker scenarios that could potentially derail its playoff hopes. Even if Staples does lose, the Wreckers play winless Harding in their season finale, so playoffs are all but assured. Danbury, currently ranked ninth, would love a win to improve its chances.
Darien at Trumbull, 7 p.m. - This game will be a battle for seeding as the Blue Wave holds a two-point lead over the Golden Eagles for the second seed.
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Fairfield Warde at Westhill, 4 p.m. - If Warde beats Ridgefield on Monday, this game will be for all the marbles. Westhill is hoping to avoid a repeat of last season when it was eliminated by New Canaan on the season's final day.
Westhill could conceivably still clinch a spot without winning if Danbury loses to Staples. The Vikings hold key tiebreaker advantages over Staples, Wilton and Greenwich.
Norwalk at Greenwich, 4 p.m. - Greenwich needs a win Monday against Fairfield Ludlowe, otherwise the Cardinals will be staring down the top-ranked Bears for a playoff spot on Wednesday. However, Norwalk may rest its starters in this game, so Greenwich could catch a break.
The FCIAC boys soccer tournament begins Friday, Oct. 28. First-round games will be played at the higher-seeded team's home field.
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