SEEDED TEAMS
- Santiago (19-1-5) – The Cavaliers are unbeaten in their last 17 games and bring a 0.418 goals against average into the playoffs. Defense has definitely been the Cavaliers’ strength this season. They have posted 15 shutouts this season and have a plus-31 goal differential. Junior forward Jessy Sotelo leads the team with 11 goals.
- South Torrance (18-1-3) – The Pioneer League champion Spartans are ranked fifth in the state after allowing just 10 goals in 22 games this season. The bring a four-game winning streak into the playoffs, outscoring their opponents, 16-1 during that span.
- Salesian (14-5-3) – The Mustangs shutout four of their last seven opponents, finishing the season with a four-match winning streak. They have outscored their opponents, 59-22 this season.
- Valencia/Valencia (16-2-4) – The Vikings went undefeated in winning the Foothill League championship for the second time. They have scored 60 goals this season, giving them a plus-41 goals against average heading into the postseason.
FIRST ROUND MATCHES
Diamond Bar at Santiago; Citrus Valley at Summit; Camarillo at Crescenta Valley; Bishop Amat at West Torrance; Saddleback at Santa Ana Valley; Thousand Oaks at Claremont; La Sierra at Fullerton; Lakewood at Valencia/Valencia; California at Salesian; Northwood at Brea Olinda; Paso Robles at Estancia; Westminster at Burroughs/Burbank; Santa Ynez at El Dorado; Channel Islands at Santa Fe; Newport Harbor at Wilson/Long Beach; Palm Springs at South Torrance
COUNTY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jessy Sotelo, Santiago, Junior; Adrian Covarrubias, Santiago, Junior; Jesus Vargas, Santiago, Senior; Juan Romero, Saddleback, Senior; Fredy Gutierrez, Santa Ana Valley; Ivan Mat, Santa Ana Valley; Fernando Estrada, Fullerton; Brian Gonzalez, Fullerton; Noah Pham, Northwood, Senior; Thomas Schleicher, Brea Olinda, Senior; Matt Fuller, Brea Olinda, Junior; Rafael Espinoza, Estancia, Senior; Brian Jeong, El Dorado, Senior; Tyler Johnson, El Dorado, Sophomore; Alex Enriquez, Newport Harbor, Junior
MOST INTRIGUING FIRST ROUND MATCH
Saddleback at Santa Ana Valley – Both teams have posted some impressive victories this season. In December, the Falcons beat Santa Ana, which cruised to a fourth consecutive Golden West League championship. And last week, the Roadrunners handed Godinez it’s only loss, becoming one of just two teams this season to hold the Grizzlies’ high-powered offense to just one goal, so I give the Roadrunners the edge in this one.
FINAL FOUR
Santiago, Valencia/Valencia, Brea Olinda, South Torrance
CHAMPION
Santiago
