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Damian Dottore. Sports. HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Associate Mug Shot taken August 24, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Sunny Hills’ path to a second consecutive CIF-SS boys soccer championship got more difficult, and the Lancers only have their recent run of success to thank for it.

For the first time, competitive equity was used to fill out the playoff brackets, and the reigning Division 2 champion Lancers made the jump up to Division 1 this season.

And when Southern Section officials released the pairings on 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 Jordan in the first round.

Godinez and Santiago were the only two county teams to earn a No. 1 seed on Monday. 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.”

But the Lancers seem up for the task. The Lancers 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 optimistic about the Friars’ postseason chances for very similar reasons. They, too, have been able to adapt and grow as the regular season progressed.

“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 a rather 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.”