Having already lost out on the Raccoon River Conference championship to Perry last week, the No. 8 ADM/Van Meter boys soccer team’s regular season finale Tuesday night at Carlisle might appear meaningless.

After all, the Tigers know their postseason fate: they’re the top seed in Class 2A Substate 8, and have a first-round bye. Getting a win could prove to be beneficial in both the short and long term, however.

A win would give ADM (13-4, 5-1 RRC) additional points toward a favorable seed in the state tournament, should the Tigers make it that far.

As for the short term, ADM head coach Bill Shields noted the importance of the game to senior Johnny Reel, who, after sitting out the majority of the season due to a herniated disc in his back, has played in the Tigers’ last three games.

“And all the conference games are important,” Shields said. “We want to finish on a high note as far as the conference and regular season are concerned.”

Another reason to finish the regular season on a winning note? ADM has a nine-day layoff between tonight’s game against Carlisle and the second-round substate game in Adel.

“So that’s a disadvantage,” Shields said. “It’s nice that both games are at home and we’re the No. 1 seed, and I think the boys have worked hard to get that, so I feel good from their point of view that they’re getting a little bit of recognition for the hard work they’ve put in.”

ADM is on the bottom side of the bracket, and will play the winner of Atlantic and Harlan on May 28. With a win that night, the Tigers would play host to Creston, Carroll or Glenwood, who also received a bye, two days later in the substate finals.