Friday’s match

Division I quarterfinals

Foothill (21-7 ) at Ventura (21-9), 3:15 p.m.

Prediction: The biggest question going into this match is the health of Knights goalie Jay Lovero. The senior is a game-changer – as El Toro can attest – but he didn’t play in the first round because of a groin injury.

Sure, the Knights played an overmatched Irvine but that was still a CIF match. That tells me that Lovero, for all his competitive spirit, is really hurt. Foothill coach Jim Brumm used words like “precautionary” and “rest” with his star goalie but says Lovero plans to play Friday.

“I’m sure he will fire up and be ready to go,” Brumm said Wednesday night. The Knights will need Lovero at close to 90 percent of himself to beat a Ventura, a tough third-place team from the tough Channel League. Lovero will approach 90 percent and Foothill advances to the semifinals for the first time since 2005.

MORE PREDICTIONS:

• Division I: Newport Harbor vs. Santa Barbara
• Division I: Corona del Mar vs. Los Alamitos
• Division I: Dos Pueblos vs. El Toro
• Division III: Laguna Beach vs. Redlands
• Division III: Murrietta Valley vs. Costa Mesa
• Division V: Troy vs. Arlington
• Division V: Buena Park vs. Santa Monica

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