The postseason has arrived for soccer teams across the state and Aberdeen Central will host opponents from the same school in the opening round. The Golden Eagles ended up as the fourth seed in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions, and Tea Area finished as the 13th seed.

The boys will start at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, followed by the girls at 6:30 p.m. at Brownell Activities Complex.

Central hosted the Titans earlier this season with the boys winning 5-0 and the girls winning 2-1.

“I always take it as it’s never a bad thing to see the team that you’re going to play in the playoffs, because film only does so much,” said Central boys’ coach Lance Mohr. “It only helps in my opinion to have realized some success or had some success when we met earlier. It’s a little bit easier message to deliver to the guys. It gives them some confidence right out of the gate.”

Central girls’ coach Kendra Hanley said the Golden Eagles played well in the first encounter with Tea Area, but that the team is always looking to prove itself.

“I would like to think of it as a fresh start and it gives them another opportunity to prove their ability to move the ball and capitalize on shots,” Hanley said. “Both teams want this win, so coming out with heart, grit, and fierceness is going to be extra important.”

Defense has been a staple of both Central teams during the regular season. The girls (11-3 on the season) have allowed just 12 goals in 14 games and only twice have given up two goals in a contest.

“Our defense has been solid. They are a huge component of our success,” Hanley said. “Ava Beck, our goalie, starts that back line. Paige Ewalt, Megan Brakefield, and Ava Schaunaman put in solid minutes, rarely coming out. When subs are needed, we have versatile players who play that spot nicely and allow a break if needed, but their ability to stay locked in and get the job done has been phenomenal.”

The Central boys (9-3-2 on the season) have surrendered just nine total goals this year and blanked opponents nine times.

Mohr said being a top four seed is important, because if the Golden Eagles win in the opening round, they will get to host a quarterfinal matchup on Saturday.

“We talk about that at the beginning of the season. Our goal was to be a top six seed, ideally a top four seed, because you have the opportunity to play in the two home games,” Mohr said. “That’s not saying, hey we’re looking past the first one, that’s just saying this gives us the best chance to make the longest run. We were fortunate to finish at four and anywhere in the top four is a great spot to be.”

The boys lost their last two games to close out the regular season. While Mohr said that was a letdown, it allowed his players to learn some valuable lessons before the start of the postseason.

“I’m glad we found out the lesson this last week, quite frankly,” Mohr said, “because … from a seeding perspective in the tournament, it didn’t hurt us a whole lot.”

Mohr pointed noted that outside of a handful of players, the Golden Eagles have little experience in the postseason.

“We’ve got a lot of new faces,” Mohr said.

That’s why Mohr said the guys with the most experience will need to set the tone in the playoffs.

“Our best players, our most experienced, need to play really, really well and really consistently for 80 minutes. And if we do that, we have some really, really talented guys and it really brings out the confidence and the energy in those other players,” Mohr said. “That’s what I’ve noticed the most. When guys are firing, our best players, everybody else comes a long for the ride and it’s a lot of fun.”

Mohr said those individuals who have been in the postseason will be crucial for the team’s success.

“That’s what’s going to be key if we’re going to make a run,” Mohr said. “Use that experience, understand what the playoffs mean, and then have the other guys learn by osmosis and hop on the bandwagon with them.”

Hanley has said repeatedly that there is little to separate the top eight girls’ teams this fall and that the Golden Eagles need to play with focus and purpose each time they take the pitch.

“Playoffs are a different environment. It’s now win or go home. There is a lot more pressure on the games,” Hanley said. “I would say their mentality and willingness to fully commit is what would set them apart for a strong postseason run.”

Hanley believes in her players and what they are capable of doing.

“We talk about taking each game as it comes and making sure we prove it, prove our worth, prove our presence, prove ourselves to be the best we can be,” Hanley said. “Always make sure and give your best.”