LA Daily News soccer: CIF-SS quarterfinals set as City playoffs begin
Southern Section boys and girls soccer enter the quarterfinals this week, while local teams in the City Section begin their title conquests.
Southern Section boys
Calabasas continues to find ways to win with a 4-1 playoff opener win over North Torrance, followed by a second-round road win at Claremont. The Coyotes now enter the Division 3 quarterfinals, where they’ll return home to face the Knight Hawks on Tuesday.
Westlake and Crespi are also on impressive runs in Division 5. The Warriors got out of the first round via a penalty kick shootout, in which they edged the Wilson Wildcats 4-3. Westlake is coming off a 3-0 win over Bellflower, but now returns home to host their non-league neighbors from around the corner in the Camarillo Scorpions. Both teams have allowed two goals in their last three games, with the Scorpions coming off back-to-back shutouts.
Crespi is ending one drought after another this postseason. After earning its first playoff berth in eight years, Crespi won its first postseason game in 12 seasons. The Celts beat Fillmore in overtime thanks to two goals from junior Nathan Moreno. Crespi then eliminated Windward, 2-1, with goals from freshman Max Shaub and Benicio Delchop.
Now, Crespi enters the quarterfinals against the hosting Santa Ana Valley Falcons, who are on an offensive tear. Santa Ana Valley has dropped just one match in its past 15 outings, and that loss is its only game in that span in which it scored fewer than two goals. Crespi’s defense has been tested all year in the Mission League, but now gets another huge test in the quarterfinals.
“This group has grown together because of how they respond to adversity,” Celts coach Luis Monroy said. “After every loss, we don’t blame, complain or point fingers. We get in the film room, identify what needs to be better, we plan, and get back on the pitch. Every loss made us closer, hungrier and more connected … As the season continued, the brotherhood got stronger, and that’s what is showing now.”
Other local Southern Section boys teams in action on Tuesday: Bishop Montgomery at Viewpoint (Division 6), Oakwood at Ganesha (Division 7), Holy Martyrs at Rio Hondo Prep (Division 8)
Southern Section girls
Oaks Christian will return to the Open Division quarterfinals after beating Palos Verdes 4-2 on Saturday, earning a 4-3 aggregate. The two juggernauts went to overtime to decide who would advance before junior Sam Mathis scored the golden goal to seal it. San Diego commit Jonnie Jane Quiroz netted two goals in the win. Oaks Christian will now play Santa Margarita on Wednesday, the same team that eliminated the Lions in last year’s Open Division playoffs.
Westlake enters as the top seed in Division 1. The Warriors have now won three-straight one-score games, most recently in the team’s 2-1 win at El Dorado. Westlake will now return home on Wednesday to host Rosemary Academy for a spot in the semifinals.
The rematch is all set as Notre Dame and Harvard-Westlake will play a third go-around in their Division 1 quarterfinal matchup. The Knights won the previous matchup 1-0 following a 3-3 draw in the first bout with the Wolverines, but both teams know it’s a new season now. The Wolverines will host the Knights on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Saugus’ magical season won’t end. The Centurions nabbed the Foothill League title and a playoff win, feats that have eluded the program for over five years. Now, Saugus is after more and will face the Ayala Bulldogs, a team yet to allow a goal this Division 2 postseason. The Centurions share the same accomplishment with back-to-back playoff clean sheets and three goals from senior Oregon commit Makea Leonard in that span.
Valencia is another team showing out as the top-seed with no goals allowed. The Vikings are rolling in Division 3 and will look to continue the streak at home against Crescenta Valley, which has scored 12 goals in its last five games.
Other girls teams in action Wednesday: El Rancho at Alemany (Division 5), Grace at St Monica Prep (Division 6), Azusa at Oakwood (Division 7)
City Section boys
El Camino Real pushed its win streak to seven games with a 1-0 playoff opener win over Banning. The top-seed Royals advance in the Open Division and will host Palisades on Thursday, getting one step closer to potential back-to-back CIF titles.
Division I playoff matchups on Wednesday: King-Drew at Chavez, San Pedro at Cleveland, Van Nuys at Granada, Poly at Chatsworth, Kennedy at Roybal
Division II playoff matchups on Wednesday: Canoga Park at New West Charter, Arleta at Annenberg, Taft at Fremont
Division III playoff matchups on Wednesday: North Hollywood at SOCES, Foshay at San Fernando, Grant at Animo Pat Brown
Division IV playoff matchups on Wednesday: Math & Science College Prep at East Valley, Lakeview Charter at Downtown Magnets, Triumph Charter at Panorama
City Section girls
Cleveland will also enter as the top seed in Open Division with a semifinal bout with Palisades on Wednesday. The Cavaliers have ramped up the energy in their eight-game win streak, in which one goal has broken through the Cleveland posts.
Granada Hills Charter also enters the Open semifinals after beating Venice 1-0 in the opening round. The Highlanders will face New West Charter for a chance at a potential CIF title game rematch with the Cavaliers.
Palisades at Cleveland, Granada at New West Charter (potential rematch of last season’s Open, Granada beats Cleveland 3-1)
Division I playoff matchups on Thursday: Van Nuys at Birmingham, Chatsworth at Kennedy
Division II playoff matchups on Thursday: Lakeview Charter at Animo Bunche
Division III playoff matchups on Thursday: Reseda at Marquez
Division IV playoff matchups on Thursday: Arleta at Monroe, Poly at Fremont