Prep boys soccer: State semifinals preview

4A: Gaither (20-4-1) at Fleming Island (23-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

NEED TO KNOW: Gaither overcame a sluggish start to rally past Kissimmee Osceola, 2-1, in the region final and reach the state final four for the second straight season. Cowboys senior Jonas Bukh (23 goals, nine assists this season) scored twice in the second half, including the decider on a pass from Jhonathan DaSilva. It was Bukh's seventh multi-goal game of the season and his seventh goal in the team's past four matches. The Cowboys also sport a tough defense anchored by captain Jacob Snidle and keeper Carlos de Oliveira. Fleming Island defeated Tallahassee Chiles, 3-2, in the region final. Fleming Island also reached the 5A final four a season ago. The Golden Eagles have posted 16 shutouts this season.

3A: Plantation American Heritage (25-1-3) at Jesuit (20-3-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

NEED TO KNOW: Jesuit has had a tough road to the final four. The Tigers defeated Palmetto, 2-1, in overtime in the region semifinals and stopped Immokalee, 2-1 (3-2 in penalty kicks) in the region final Tuesday. Senior Chris Conlon found Brett Durrance in the box in the 20th minute for the Tigers' regulation goal before Conlon ended the game with the deciding penalty kick. Durrance has scored four goals in the past three games, including the game-ending, overtime goal against Palmetto. Jesuit has 19 players with at least one goal this season. Plantation American Heritage defeated Titusville, 3-0, in cold, windy conditions Tuesday.

1A: Tampa Prep (17-6-2) at St. Augustine Saint Joseph (14-4-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

NEED TO KNOW: The Terrapins held off a late Fort Meade surge to advance to the final four with a 3-2 win. The Terrapins lost in the region semifinals in 2011, a year after winning the 2A state title. This season's Terrapins team, dubbed a "no individuals, team focused" side by coach Doug Smith, has had to fight from the district runner-up slot. Saint Joseph reached its first state final four with a 4-1 win against Mayo Lafayette behind goals from four different players.

2A: Delray Beach American Heritage (22-3-2) at Berkeley Prep (18-7-2)

Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

NEED TO KNOW: Berkeley Prep had to wait a day after rain postponed the region final, but the Buccaneers got past West Palm Beach King's Academy on Wednesday night, 2-0. The decider came in the 12th minute when Kevin Harvey threw in a long ball and found tall defender Justin Vogel on the line, and he flicked in the goal. The Buccaneers got a second-half goal when Dan Felman found Tyler Sacone on the left side of the box. Harvey has 26 goals this season, and Felman has 14 goals and 14 assists. Delray Beach American Heritage, which won the 2A state title last season, advanced to the final four with a 3-2 win against Gulliver Prep on Tuesday.