Here are my thoughts and prediction for the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinal match between Aliso Niguel and Capistrano Valley.

My Thoughts: It seems only fitting that the defending champions would square off against the top-seeded team this season for the right to go to the championship match. The Wolverines have once again shown an incredible knack for finding a way to grind out victories. All three of their playoff wins so far this season have come been by one goal margins. Dating back to last season, Aliso Niguel has won six straight playoff matches by a goal. The team is battle-tested, hungry, and eager to show that they are still the current standard of excellence in the county.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my thoughts and prediction for the CIF-SS Division 2 semifinal match between Westlake and Sunny Hills.

My Thoughts: The No. 4 seeded Warriors will look to advance to the Division 2 championship match for the first time since 2003. The Marmonte League champions defeated Mira Costa 1-0 in the quarterfinals and have won 15 of their last 17 matches since the beginning of league play.

The Lancers edged Valencia/Valencia 3-2 in overtime, as freshman Jewels Zuniga produced the match-winning goal. Sunny Hills has gone 28 straight matches since losing, the longest unbeaten streak in the county. With a win, the Lancers will advance to the championship match for the fourth time since 2007.
Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my thoughts and prediction for the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinal match between Bishop Amat and Yorba Linda.

My Thoughts: The No. 4 seeded Lancers are seeking to advance to the CIF-SS championship match for the third straight season. They were the No. 2 seed from the Del Rey League and have won 10 straight matches. Bishop Amat has won two straight playoff matches by the score of 4-3.They have scored four or more goals in five of their last six matches overall.

The top-seeded Mustangs are seeking to advance to the championship match for the first time in school history. Yorba Linda has shutout both of its playoff opponents this season and is unbeaten in its last 11 matches. They have posted shutouts in seven of their last 10 matches.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my predictions for the Divisions 1-3 quarterfinals matches involving county teams.

Division 1

Capistrano Valley at Santa Margarita: Capistrano Valley continued to play like the top-seeded team in the bracket with a 3-0 win over Northwood in the second round. It marked the eighth straight match in which they have scored two or more goals. The Cougars’ unbeaten streak has now reached 20 consecutive matches (17-0-3). Santa Margarita battled its way into the quarterfinals, defeating San Clemente 1-0 in double overtime on a goal by Taylor Klawunder. With the win, the Eagles ended San Clemente’s county record run of five straight trips to the Division 1 championship match. The two teams played in a nonleague match on December 20th, with Capistrano Valley blanking the Eagles 2-0.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my predictions for the Divisions 5-6 quarterfinals matches involving county teams.

Division 5

Cabrillo/Lompoc at St. Margaret’s: The Conquistadores were second in the Los Padres League, winning 10 of 12. Overall, they have won 12 of 14 matches. The Tartans are now unbeaten in nine straight matches after winning 1-0 on the road against Santa Fe on a goal by freshman Lizzie Barbaresi. This is the second meeting of the season between these two at St. Margaret’s High. The two teams played to a 1-1 tie in a nonleague match on December 14th, as Cabrillo rallied to score the match-tying goal in the second half.

Read the rest of this entry »

The second round of the CIF-SS playoffs was filled with more spectacular action from some of the county’s best players and teams.

Here is a look at Tuesday’s results.

In CIF-SS Division 1

Capistrano Valley 3, Northwood 0: Jordyn Balanto, Alex Hussar, and Anne Hinman scored goals to lead the top-ranked Cougars (18-1-3) over the Timberwolves (13-9-4) at Irvine High.

Esperanza 1, Corona del Mar 0: Nosa Ogiamien scored the match-winning goal in the second half, as the Aztecs (15-5-6) defeated the Sea Kings (16-4-4) at Estancia High.

Aliso Niguel 1, Edison 0: Sarah Roberts tallied the match-winner in the second half, as the visiting Wolverines (11-3-6) edged the Chargers (16-4-4).

Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my predictions for the Division 1 second round matches involving county teams.

Capistrano Valley at Northwood: The top-ranked Cougars defeated Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks 3-1 in the first round, as senior Alex Hussar continued her strong season with a hat trick. Capistrano Valley is now unbeaten in 19 straight matches (16-0-3). Their offense has produced two or more goals in seven straight matches. The Timberwolves advanced into the second round by outlasting Yucaipa in penalty kicks. Carine Hendley scored Northwood’s goal in regulation. Northwood is unbeaten in nine straight matches (7-0-2). The Timberwolves have been playing exceptionally well for the last month and I feel will play a very competitive match. But Capistrano Valley has been the most consistent team in the county this season and another strong effort will get the Cougars a trip into the quarterfinals.

Winner: Capistrano Valley

Dana Hills at Rancho Cucamonga: The second seeded Dolphins take their playoff journey on the road after blanking University 2-0 in the first round. It was the second straight season Dana Hills beat University in the first round. Since suffering their only loss of the season to Mission Viejo, Dana Hills has won three straight and outscored their opposition 8-1. The Cougars were second to Upland in the Baseline League, winning six of their 10 league matches. They tallied a second half goal to post a 1-0 road victory over San Juan Hills in the first round. Though Rancho Cucamonga has won five of their six home matches this season, the Dolphins have played big road matches this season and fared well. That, along with another strong overall team effort, will help the Dolphins emerge victorious in this one.

Winner: Dana Hills

Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my predictions for the Division 2 second round matches involving county teams.

Sunny Hills at Millikan: The Lancers’ run of dominance continued in a 3-0 first round win over West Torrance. That’s 26 straight matches without a defeat, the longest on-going streak in the county. Since tying Troy 0-0 on January 17th, Sunny Hills is 7-0 and has outscored its opponents 30-0. The Rams were third in the Moore League this season, winning seven of 12 matches. They defeated Santa Barbara 3-1 in the first round. The top-seeded Lancers have been on a roll of late, and though conceivable that the Rams could play them tough at home, I look for Sunny Hills to march into the quarterfinals.

Winner: Sunny Hills

Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my predictions for the Division 3 second round matches involving county teams.

Arroyo Grande at Pacifica: The Pac-7 champion Eagles have been hot of late. They have won eight in a row, including a 2-0 victory over Burbank in the first round. During that streak, they have outscored their opposition 21-1. The Mariners edged Los Altos 1-0 in the first round on a goal by Taylor Bistline. Three of the Pacifica’s last four wins have come by a one-goal margin. Pacifica will be challenged by the Eagles, but they’ve proven to be battle-tested throughout the regular season. Playing at home, the Mariners come out with a hard-fought victory.

Winner: Pacifica

Read the rest of this entry »