New London

They live in the same neighborhood. They coach the same sport. In the same city. Their teams - at rival schools - were undefeated for a while this autumn. Until they each lost their first game. On the same day. Friends, omens, countrymen.

This is the story of Chris Parsons and Norm Riker. They've made history this week in this corner of the world. Parsons: led Coast Guard Academy to the NCAA Division III men's soccer tournament for the first time in 34 years. Riker: led the Connecticut College women to the program's first New England Small College Athletic Conference title and an NCAA berth.

"Incredible," Riker was saying Tuesday, a word that illustrates the feat of his team and the symmetry he's felt with his long time friend.

They've known each other for nearly 20 years, since another lifetime ago during their days at Vassar. They live in the Crescent Beach section of Niantic. Riker actually moved into Parsons' old house when he took the job at Conn.

"When I became a finalist for the job at Conn, I went for a quick bite with Chris and Heather," Riker said. "They said 'we have a house for you to stay in, the town has the best school system in Connecticut. The decision's been made.'"

And now Riker and Parsons join the list of sports personalities who live near the water in Niantic. Geno Auriemma has a house there. So does UConn soccer coach Ray Reid and former UConn athletic director Paul Pendergast.

Riker and Parsons don't merely share their love for futbol and a close friendship. Their tasks at their schools are Herculean. Conn: Not the best facilities or cachet in NESCAC. And had never won it. Coast Guard: It's not always easy to find young men who can kick, chew gum and get perfect math scores at the same time.

Yet here they are.

"This is what Norm does," Parsons said. "He got Wittenburg to the tournament when he was there and they weren't a soccer school, believe me."

Riker was still awash in the happy memories of the weekend Tuesday morning. The Camels beat Williams in the championship game - Williams pretty much wins everything - and returned to campus to see several hundred students, faculty and administrators there to greet them.

(Next time someone at Conn tries to pooh pooh the significance of sports, ask him or her the last time Conn was part of an impromptu gathering of 300 for anything).

"We had the Selection Show on campus (Monday)," Riker said. "We walked the trophy up (from Luce Field House) and people were touching it and checking it out. It was a real neat feeling."

Parsons, meanwhile, had to sweat out his Selection Show. The Bears, minus two key players (including injured leading scorer John Tarzian) didn't win their conference. Still, Parsons, who led the program to its first national ranking during the season, felt fairly confident.

"One thing about the cadets here," Parsons said, "is that they give everything they have all the time. It's been a challenge to get it to this level. And there's a little luck involved."

They play this weekend. Conn plays Saturday night vs. Swarthmore at Montclair State. Coast Guard plays Saturday afternoon vs. Catholic University at Muhlenberg. That's right. They both play the same day.

"Literally parallel seasons," Riker said.

And they'll be quite the postseason party when their rides are over.

"We've had a few family dinners this year to celebrate each other's progress," Parsons said. "There's been a lot of progress for both of us."

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.

Twitter: @BCgenius