I want to dedicate this post to the lovely ladies of Byram Hills soccer, who told me today they’re avid Just Kickin’ It fans. If all 22 of them read it, I figure that about doubles my readership. It was a strange feeling being recognized. Now I finally understand what big celebrities like David Beckham or George Clooney feel like. Please folks, no autographs. (Note to self: put tinted windows on Lincoln Town Car.)

No. 2 Byram’s convincing win over No. 7 Tappan Zee today, combined with Lourdes’ penalty-kick escape over Rye, elevates the Bobcats to the top tier of Class A contenders. Byram took a 2-0 lead at the 24-minute mark and never looked back. Aside from one empty net look by Jamie Kimak with 14 minutes remaining TZ really had no gasp-worthy shots. Credit a week of effective preparation by rookie coach Bryan Horn and the defense, which added midfielders Regan Marin and Carly Roth to its ranks today. Liza Falk scored both goals, the first on a nifty one-timer that popped over the keeper’s head. Reminded me of my high school hackey sack days.

It’s weird seeing TZ coach Bill Lynch out of the playoffs so soon. He’s been in the finals every year since 2003. I’m also used to the Dutchies throwing up two, three goals every game. Megan Staropoli, Kimak, and Hevyn Diers always made them one of the most skilled offensive clubs around. They’d struggled a lot this year, getting shut out seven times. That’s seven more times than 2006. It’s seven more times than 2005. They weren’t helped today by a dead start. Most of the first half they were a step slower than the Bobcats, moving listlessly and without much organization. Not sure why.

The rest of today’s slate was a lot closer. Three games went to PKs. Hen Hud, Lourdes, and Mamaroneck prevailed in the extra session. Lourdes was tied through 10 kicks and had to go to a sudden-death session before ekeing it out. You have to feel for Rye, which deserved better after putting up a tenacious fight as an eighth seed.

Rye Neck pulled an upset against Edgemont, 1-0, and gets another shot at Nanuet, who eliminated them last year.

There’s one game tomorrow: No. 7 North Salem at No. 2 Briarcliff. That’s the last quarterfinal. The Wednesday semifinals are as follows.

Class AA
No. 4 Mamaroneck at No. 1 John Jay-East Fishkill, TBA
No. 3 Horace Greeley at No. 2 North Rockland, 2 p.m.
Class A
No. 4 Hen Hud at No. 1 Our Lady of Lourdes, 2 p.m.
No. 3 Pelham at No. 2 Byram Hills, 3 p.m.
Class B
No. 5 Rye Neck at No. 1 Nanuet, TBA
No. 6 Albertus Magnus vs No. 7 North Salem/No. 2 Briarcliff, TBA
Class C
No. 4 Tuckahoe at No. 1 Solomon Schechter, 3 p.m.
No. 3 Valhalla at No. 2 Haldane, 3 p.m.