Three days after capturing its second consecutive CIF-SS title in dominating fashion, Godinez kept its season going with a 3-0 victory over Canyon Crest Academy of San Diego in the opening round of the CIF Southern California Regional Division 2 playoffs Tuesday at Santa Ana Valley High.
The Grizzlies (25-1-0) are a victory away from returning to the regional final for the second year in a row. The top-seeded Grizzlies will host Valencia in a semifinal on Thursday.
The contest will be rematch of Saturday’s Southern Section championship game, won by Godinez, 4-0.
Godinez controlled the tempo throughout Tuesday’s match, displaying superior ball control and passing.
When they were within striking range, the Grizzlies passed back and forth horizontally and when and player had a good look, he fired.
“That is the strength of our team,” Godinez coach Ruben Fernandez said. “We have guys who are good on the balls and we try to play possession. When we’re on, we’re difficult to stop.”
The Ravens (15-8-4) were the No. 3 seed and the Division 1 champs from the San Diego Section.
After coming close several times, the Grizzlies broke through in the 38th minute. Carlos Moreno scored off a pass from Jonathan Romero to make it 1-0.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Moreno gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead with a header into the goal, off a pass from Rigoberto Lizardi.
Less than two minutes later, Romero kicked the ball about 15 yards up field to a wide open Bryan Ibarra who scored for the Grizzlies.
Ibarra, who has scored seven goals in six playoff matches, upped his county-leading goal count to 33.
In Division 1:
El Toro 1, Coronado 0: The host Chargers advanced to the semifinals where they will play host to Edison on Thursday. Edison defeated top-seeded St. Augustine, 3-1, on Tuesday.
In Division 2:
Valencia 2, Oceanside 1: Dylan Kim scored a goal and Devin Cornejo added a goal and an assist lead the host Tigers (26-5), who will play Godinez in the semifinals on Thursday
Division 3
El Dorado 3, Mendez of Los Angeles 0: The top-seeded Golden Hawks will travel to Salesian of Los Angeles for Thursday’s semifinal match.
