The Dimond Lynx are the favorites at this week's Cook Inlet Conference soccer championships.

Dimond's boys and girls are the top seeds in the championships, which begin Thursday with matches as far south at South High and as far north as Chugiak.

Eagle River High School is the chief location for the tournament. All of Friday's semifinals and both of Saturday's championship matches will be held there.

The Dimond boys open defense of their CIC championship at 4 p.m. Thursday against eighth-seeded Bartlett. The Lynx are shooting for their third conference crown in four seasons.

The Dimond girls also play at 4 p.m. and also face Bartlett, but their match is at Eagle River. Runners-up to Chugiak last season, the Lynx are trying to win their first conference title.

Championship matches are Saturday at 2 p.m. for boys and 5 p.m. for girls.

CIC tournament

Thursday's first round

Boys

4 p.m. -- Dimond vs. Bartlett, at South

5 p.m. -- Service vs. East, at Chugiak

6 p.m. -- Chugiak vs. South, at South

8 p.m. -- West vs. Eagle River, at South

Girls

4 p.m. -- Dimond vs. Bartlett, at Eagle River

6 p.m. -- East vs. South, at Eagle River

7 p.m. -- West vs. Service, at Chugiak

8 p.m. -- Chugiak vs. Eagle River, at Eagle River