On Wednesday night, the ILS boys varsity soccer team hosted Westminster Christian for the 3A Region 4 quarterfinal match. The Royal Lions won the game in dominating fashion, defeating the Warriors 4-1.

ILS has now won three games in a row, and two of them in dominating fashion. Westminster Christian entered the game with a better record than the Royal Lions and a better goal-differential, but it didn’t matter. ILS took control of the game with a first half goal from freshman Santiago Sanchez.

In the second half, juniors Nicholas Podolla and Samuel Rodriguez each added a goal for the Royal Lions. Senior Marcelo Aedo continued his solid play of late, placing a free kick in the back of the net to close the scoring for ILS.

Sophomore goal keeper Manuel Lopez also continued his impressive play of late. After earning a shutout in the District Championship, Lopez and the ILS defense kept the Warriors off the scoreboard for most of the game. Westminster Christian did add a late goal to make the final score 4-1.

Since the start of the playoffs, the Royal Lions have seen a surge in offense. During the regular season, ILS struggled to consistently score goals. It wasn’t for a lack of opportunities, the team just wasn’t finishing. But during this playoff run, ILS has posted nine goals in three games. That’s the most goals over a three game stretch since last season’s State Finals run.

The defense has not slipped in the playoffs, even with the uptick on offense. Lopez has been masterful in goal, and the team defenders have made getting clean looks on goal difficult for the opposing teams. Over the three games, ILS has surrendered just two goals.

The Royal Lions move to the Regional Semifinals now for the fourth season in a row. ILS will host Miami Country Day on Saturday, February 15th at 7 PM in the Lion’s Den. Country Day enters the game with a 13-8-1 record, and defeated Palmer Trinity 2-1 in the Regional Quarterfinal to earn their spot.

ILS and Miami Country Day played earlier this season, and that game ended in a 2-2 tie. Senior Kamani Turner scored both goals for the Royal Lions in that one, and the goaltender was freshman River Blake.

The Regional Semifinal is scheduled for Saturday, February 15th, at 7 PM in the Lion’s Den. Admission to the game will cost $7.