The path to a second consecutive CIF-SS boys soccer championship will be more difficult for Sunny Hills, and the Lancers have their recent run of success to thank for it.
For the first time, a competitive equity formula was used to fill out the playoff brackets, and the Lancers, who won the Division 2 title a year ago, have to make the jump to Division 1 this season.
When the pairings were released Monday, Sunny Hills found out it will play host to San Clemente, a two-time CIF-SS Division 1 champion, in the first round on Friday.
Servite, which clinched its fourth consecutive Trinity League championship last week, earned the No. 4 seed in Division 1 and will play Long Beach Jordan in the first round.
Godinez and Santiago were the county’s only teams to earn a No. 1 seed. The Grizzlies topped the Divison 2 bracket, moving up after cruising to the Division 4 championship last season. The Cavaliers are No. 1 in Division 3.
“Competition-wise it doesn’t get any more difficult for us,” Sunny Hills coach Mike Schade said. “But it is an honor for our program to be recognized for our past accomplishments. We know it will be a tremendous challenge.”
The Lancers seem up for the task. They won their third consecutive Freeway League championship this season, scoring 40 goals while giving up just 19. Diego Useda leads the team with four goals.
“I am very proud of our team as we have made great progress throughout the season to improve in both our commitment to each other and to getting better each and every day,” Schade said. “We have improved in all phases of the game and found ways to come from behind to win and to perform very well in crucial games, a great trait for a young team.”
Servite coach Jon Spencer said he is also optimistic about the Friars’ postseason chances.
“We are a deep team and well rounded,” Spencer said. “Everyone played their role and I have to say I am thankful to be a part of such a wonderful group of young men.”
This has been an unusual season for the Friars. They haven’t dominated the competition like they have done in past seasons, losing two Trinity League games for the first time in four seasons.
That, Spencer said, prompted him to make a tactical adjustment with his lineup.
“It paid off immensely. It was one of those moments in league where as a coach I had to adapt in order to put our guys in a position to succeed,” Spencer said. “ We feel we have prepared well for the playoffs and look forward to this next phase of the season.”
Contact the writer: ddottore@scng.com
