Special to RGVFútbol

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McALLEN, 7 Nov. - The four playoff finalists were identified at the conclusion of Week 8 of the South Texas Premier Soccer Association 18-and-Under Fall League last weekend.

Bulldogs, Águilas, Jaguares, and Rattlers advanced to the semifinals of the STXPSA Fall League that kicks off on Nov. 8.

After a series of results in the last week of the Fall League regular season, including a Bulldogs win over Panteritas, canine crew leaped over Águilas and Jaguares to claim first place in the regular-season standings with a 5-2-1 record for 17 points.

Bulldogs will take on Golden Rattlers “A” (5-1-2, 16 points) in the semifinals at 10:45 a.m., and Águilas (5-2-1, 17) face Jaguares (5-1-2, 16) at 9 a.m. in the opening playoff match up in a rematch of Week 8.

Águilas and Jaguares battled to a scoreless draw in one of the most attractive matches of the regular-season finale. However, the result left Águilas without the first place spot, which they had owned for most of the season, or the No. 1 seeding in the postseason. Águilas ended the season with an identical 5-1-2 record as Bulldogs, but due to goal differential, the canine squad took the top spot.

In another game with serious playoff implications, Golden Rattlers "A" held on to defeat Lobos 3-2.

Eduardo Pastrana opened the scoring in the 18th minute for Rattlers "A" when he beat Lobo goalkeeper José Gómez on a penalty kick. Midfielder Gerardo Garza made it 2-0 when he fired a hard shot that hit the cross bar, ricocheted and took a lucky bounce into the goal for the score.

Rattlers "A" made it a three-goal lead on a header by Guillermo Vásquez when he connected in a sea of red and gray jerseys in the first minute of the second half.

Despite the deficit, Lobos didn’t give up and looked to rally to advance to the playoffs. Efraín Durán scored at the 50’ and 74’ marks to get within 3-2, but Lobos ran out of time to equalize the season finale.

With the victory, Rattlers "A" claimed the last playoff berth as the fourth place team with a 5-1-2 record with 16 points. Meanwhile, Lobos evened their mark at 3-2-3 for 11 points.

In other Week 8 matches, Golden Rattlers "B" defeated Sabercats 3-1 and Potros beat Cougars "B" 2-0. Raiders tied at 1-all with Cougars "A" on Oct. 13 in a game that was played early.

In the match between Rattlers "B" and Sabercats, Gabriel Garza put Rattlers ahead 1-0 in the 10th minute. Sabercats reacted seven minutes later with the equalizer from Ramón Partida. For the next 40 minutes, both sides tightened the screws on defense and prevented their opponent from scoring.

It wasn’t until the 67th minute that Omar Morín found the back of the net for Rattlers “B” give them a 2-1 advantage. Cristian Vásquez sealed the victory with a final minute tally that gave Rattlers "B" a 3-1 win.