We’ve written about this Wilson girls’ soccer team and how the seniors are ending an era, but not quite yet. The story will come full circle this afternoon as the Bruins host the San Clemente Tritons (15-6-6, 7-0-3) in the CIF Semifinal.  Two years ago, the same two schools played to a 1-1 tie in the CIF Championship game. They haven’t played each other since then, but they know what to expect.

“They’ve got a lot of talent,” says Wilson head coach Jason Kirkwood of the Tritons, who have majority Premier Club players.  “They went undefeated in the South Coast League, and that’s one of the toughest leagues in California.”

Both teams have dominated in the midfield all season, and it will be won or lost there today.  The Tritons run almost everything through midfielder Frannie Coxe.  The junior plays with Emily Dillon, Kaitlin Hellmann and Kim Albeno in the Premier Club league, so the Bruins are well aware how good she can make San Clemente.

So, how will the battle at the midfield change a game that’s already very even?  It could go either way.

“An early goal could turn it into an offensive slugfest,” says Kirkwood.  “But we could be 0-0 all day… both teams have the defense to keep it scoreless.”

Simply put, Long Beach sports fans have the makings of a CIF Playoff classic in our backyard.  See you in the stands!