Boys and girls soccer

Love the blog here. Nice colors. I am definitely staying tuned to this one. Hope to see more.

Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I'm very very impressed.

This is the first blog I read on my new Droid Tablet. I'll be back.

Nice play by play... I THINK I tried it at the bottom rack last week and it was ok.I tried it out and it turned out so delicious! Thank you!

Good post, thanks

Was the light of all forms of work as a coach of a patch of the best known. With a mixture range of possibilities, such as disorganized patchwork coach Fake Handbags China has patched in a wide range of styles matured.

South Pasadena's best chance to score will come on set-pieces and long throw-ins. They might as well pack it in defensively and look for counters and keep the game close. If they get too risky, La Salle will burn them. I still think La Salle is going to win the whole thing, but they can't be happy about this first-round test.

south pasadena can hold their defensive line strongly most days, and in overtime pks they would have the upper hand. if anyone saw la salle's penalty kick round in the glendora tournament, they know what im talking about

South Pasadena is a scary opponent for La Salle because they have a physical backline that can be difficult to penetrate. I don't see how South Pas can score on them, but I wouldn't be surprised if this goes to overtime with neither team able to score.

Thanks John M,

Didn't realize that the widcard placements were a random draw. Was not suggesting that La Salle get a "bye" in the first round. Should be an interesting game

also soccer prof...the draw for where the wild card winners play is random.

Soccer Prof...no teams in D4 got first round byes.

I find it interesting that La Salle, one of the top three seeds in the DIV playoffs did not get a wildcard playin in the first round. No complaints - just an observation.

Anonymous...I think getting South Pas in the first round is definitely a tough draw for La Salle. I haven't seen South Pas this year but they have seen tough competition and would like nothing more than to knock off the number one team in the area.

I agree with John M. That South Pas team on a good day can hang with La Salle. They were completely out of of sync vs. La Canada last week in the 0-2 loss. If they get it together, it will be a good game.

Were you being sarcastic about La Salle's first game being a tough draW?

Did I write something wrong?

oh JohnM i hope you arent being facetious

Don't be a jerk, JohnM.

The most interesting local girl's matchup this week has to be La Salle-South Pasadena in D4 action Friday...a tough first round draw for La Salle.

CIF D5:

Maranatha will face the winner of the Nordhoff-Paraclete wild card game.

do south pasadena boys deserve at least a wildcard game? i think so.

CIF D4 Girl's Soccer:
La Salle at home against South Pasadena on Fiday, La Canada travels to Santa Fe and Monrovia will play host to the winner of the Palm Deser-Perris wild card game.

CIF D3 Girl's Soccer:
Westridge place host to Hacienda Heights Wilson on Friday and Flintridge Prep is at home versus Righetti in a wild card game on Wednesday.

CIF D2 Girl's Playoffs:
CV, Burbank, Arcadia and Pasadena all get spots.
On Friday, CV plays host to West Covina, Burbank is at Royal and Arcadia plays host to Irvine. Pasadena will travel to Westlake on Wednesday for a Wild Card match.

the crazy thing about cif is on any given day any team can lose. one bad round of pks and la salle is out, or one upset goal knocks out a top ranked team.

i agree with anonymous. la salle and lc are certainly most improved. but la canada was also fortunate that sp and monrovia are both in the middle of rebuilding years.

how do you all think teams will do?

Big day today! CIF Soccer Playoff pairings will be announced early this afternoon.
That means over the next 3-4 weeks a lot of ongoing disagreements about the quality of teams in this area will be settled.
To get the festivities started, how about some feedback on how you think the teams in our area will fare?
DIVISION 3
Westrdige
Flintridge Prep
DIVISION 4
La Salle
La Canada
Monrovia
South Pasadena
DIVISION 5
Maranatha
(If I missed any it wasn't intentional!)

My vote for the area's most improved girls soccer teams are:
La Salle - I don't know how their season ended last year, but with their strong senior class leading the team, I smell CIF championship.

La Canada - they finished 4th in RHL last year, but this year they are co-league champs. They are one of the few teams that are producing some offense in a league that lost a lot of offensive-powerhouse players.

Fred,

Im talking boys...not girls...

SP really made playoffS?>

South Pas finished third in the RHL and is in the playoffs.

Fred,
So does that mean SP is out of contention for a playoff spot?

rhlsbf, eight-team leagues get four playoff teams, five and six-team leagues get three spots and four-team leagues get two automatic berths.

Just in case anyone cares....

Boys & Girls Soccer Playoff Info from CIF
Monday, February 12 Release of Pairings - CIF-SS Office - Begins 12 noon - 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 3 (2 sites) Boys/Girls Soccer Finals - @ Downey High School, Downey and
@ Warren High School, Downey – Times & Divisions TBA
Ticket Prices Soccer Championships (one ticket for each site, ticket good for all 6 games at the site)
General - $9 ▪ Students (with valid student I.D.) - $5 ▪ Children - $5 (Ages 3-13)

Fred im hearing from parents that a 4th place team can get in over a 3rd place team in D5...is this true? People on this blog say no but coaches and parents ive talked to say yes...

RHL boys soccer
South Pasadena 2, Temple City 1

JohnM & FredJ called it: the Girls RHL race really did come 'down to the wire'.

Girls Soccer
Monrovia 1, La Canada 0. Shannon Brooks scored in the 74th minute for the game-winner.
The Wildcats and Spartans share the Rio Hondo League title, but the Wildcats go to the playoffs as the No. 1 team because of a 1-0-1 head-to-head record against L.A.

Any word on the scores of games played today?

JohnM
No chip on my shoulder. All is good. Just having fun with your statement

Tom S...you really seem to have a chip on your shoulder....especially as it relates to the Maranatha goalkeeper. My comments are just observations and not intended to offend anyone on a personal level. Since it's obvious my analyses seem to touch a nerve with you I will stop commenting on that. Sorry if I have offended you on a personal level.

Anonymous:
The Maranatha faithful have been relishing in the success of their winter sports teams.
Girls soccer, co-champions of the Alpha league and maintaining their #1 CIF Division V ranking. Yes, just a 20 –1 – 2 record with 75 points for and only 10 point against, but remember, they haven’t played anyone, have holes in their defense, the goalie will collapse under pressure and they will not go far in the playoffs, according to JimM.
Also busy getting ready for the big boys basketball game tonight. The Minutemen are playing 2nd place Pacific Hills for the outright Delphic league championship and to maintain their #1 CIF standing in Division V-AA against 2nd ranked Pacific Hills. First game was a close one with the Minutemen winning 54 to 49. Both teams look very even. Maranatha has a 17 – 7 overall and 7 – 0 league record while Pacific Hills is 16 – 8 overall and is 6 – 1 in league play.
Girls’ basketball will be going to CIF playoffs and a good chance that boys soccer will also have a playoff berth.

anonymous...the three times I have seen Maranatha play it seemed that the best way to get to them was using a "dump and chase" attack designed to neutralize the midfielders and put pressure on the defense and keeper. It's not the way you want to teach soccer but it can work well when you’re overmatched up front and at midfield. Maybe Maranatha's opponents are figuring that out.

Did any one notice its been quiet on here since no Maranatha faithful have been spreading the word. Maybe its because Maranatha barely squeaked by with a victory againt Campbell Hall 2-1 Tuesday even though Campbell Hall is 1-6 and at the bottom of the league!!! Oooops.

OK BurbankSports, you admit to their weak schedule, then why in the world would you come on here bragging about how tough the Pacific league is and how tough Burbank HS is?!! ..duh, Some teams will be tested once they hit playoffs (like Burbank) but some teams (La Salle among them) have already been tested by a very difficult schedule against tough, physical teams.

All possible Boys' RHL standings:

La Canada - first place no matter what

Monrovia - second, third, and fourth

San Marino - second, third and fourth

TC - second, third, and fourth, fifth

SP - fourth, or tied for fifth

BL - sixth or tied for fifth

TC, Mon, and SM - could end up with a three way tie for 2nd - 4th. That would mean that the fourth place team after a coin flip and a play to get in game will be on the outside of CIF looking in.

Again, there isn't an At -large birth in Div V. There is 36 automatic births into a pool of 32. Therefore, 28 of those 32 will start with the first round games and 8 will play wild card games. At large births are only used when there isn't enough teams to fill a 32 bracket. Div V has 12 leagues, which provide 3 teams into CIF.

Sorry that I am illiterate, but again you were wrong though - Monrovia is not guranteed third place.

Just a note....occasional posters confuse Notre Dame Academy with Notre Dame Sherman Oaks......La Salle did not defeat NDSO....they lost in tie breaker at the Glendale tournament although the game officially goes as a tie on the LSHS record

Just a note....occasional posters confuse Notre Dame Academy with Notre Dame Sherman Oaks......La Salle did not defeat NDSO....they lost in tie breaker at the Glendale tournament although the game officially goes as a tie on the LSHS record

Yes, unfortunately Burbank's non league schedule was week. That's true for alot of the Burbank teams this year and somewhat next year as well. The kids at Burbank would love to play against the best of the best. Especially the Freshmen and Sophmores who have become used to playing for and against top club and travel teams in various sports.
Unfortunately poor planning and weak budgets have handcuffed coaches and programs at Burbank and JBHS. It is much easier for private schools to pick and choose opponents.
Fortunately for the athletes at Burbank- scholarships and college opportunities are created through their club affiliations and performance in that venue. (exception being football)

I notice that "Burbanksports" didn't bother to answer "reporters" question, so i checked myself and... ha ha ha...Burbank's nonleague games were against Alhambra, Blair, Campbell Hall and South Pasadena!!! ha ha ha. Oooooh, what a tough, tough bunch, BurbankSports. You are so funny.

Girls Soccer....for some reason the girls soccer programs at the area public schools have been declining while despite their much smaller enrollment numbers the private schools get stronger.
Just look at the Star News area top ten...four of the top five and six out of the top ten ranked teams represent private schools.

Well girls soccer took a turn this year... i guess RHL was weakened by the loss of so many great players. this is probably why no one has been ranked for CIF. looks doubtful that any girls RHL will make it past second round.

can't wait to see the playoff seats..hah

so the remaining question is, how will LC v. Monrovia go? if monrovia loses, SP has a chance to slip into 2nd.

sorry "ME" you illiterate fool, i said MONROVIA has clinched third. But why wouldn't there be at large spots, to my knowledge there are always wildcards or "at large teams." Fred, I trust your advice on this the most. Do you know what the deal is?

JohnM
Excellent post. Yes, I'll have to defer to your knowledge of the WSGV. I found your point about under 12 AYSO very interesting. In the SFV club soccer is where you'll find the best players and most talented teams as early as 10U. I'd also include some of the "freelance" leagues that can be found in the SFV as well. As I'm sure you are aware-Region 254 has never been a powerhouse at the younger levels, but somehow would win alot in Section 10 at the 16 & 18 levels. The same kids that would beat Saugus Valencia, etc...in AYSO would turn around and lose to those high schools during Foothill League play.

First off, South Pas has not clinched third in league. In fact, the only placements that are guranteed going into the final game is that Blair will get last. If La Canada wins, they get first.

But to answer your question about the over 500 record. There isn't any at-large berths in Div 5 soccer.

Fred maybe you can help in the debate...my understanding is the best fourth place team goes on, and by best i mean record wise preseason included. This doesnt make much sense seeing as how they all play different teams...Is there even a wildcard for DV and how is the team chosen to get it?

anonymous...it is my understanding that a fourth place team could potentially get a wildcard spot if it had at least a .500 record.

south pasadena boys soccer has had a tough second half season with a few really close loses, they were ranked in cif for a number of weeks and they will end the season above .500 if they win thursday against temple city, what are the chances of a wild card spot since monrovia has already clinched third in league?

Re La Salle v Burbank debate:
Having spent the last 12 years coaching, refing, administrating and parenting girl’s soccer in the West SGV, I can tell you that without question La Salle has a VERY deep and talented team filled with girls that have been area standouts for years. They are for real this year but will experience a big drop off next season as the younger players develop.
My only real point of reference in the Pacific League is Arcadia and while the roster there includes a ton of talent, it doesn't come near what La Salle has this year. I saw CV play once this year and they struggled to beat a team that any D2 team should easily beat.
So in conclusion, I think burbanksports is off the mark on this one and if he/she had some actual knowledge of the girl’s soccer landscape in this area and not just Burbank it would help.
If you want to know how high school soccer programs are going to look in the future just look at the 12 and under divisions in the local AYSO regions before most of the best players leave for club soccer...and I can tell you the West SGV AYSO programs (Arcadia in particular) were dominating when the kids in high school now were coming up...and at the end of the year no teams from Burbank were around when the Tri-Sectional Championship Trophies were handed out.

woulda, coulda, shoulda...i'll bet those words will be used alot by La Salle during the playoffs....I will agree that La Salle has a very good Division 4 team.

oh BTW Burbank sports, how many D1 teams has Burbank played nonleague? huh?

Believe me, it was "with ease" and 2 goals were called back that were not offsides. Should've been 3-0 or 4-0. CV never even got more than a couple of shots off in 80 minutes of play. You need to get educated. If you have never seen St. Josephs of Lakewood or Bishop Montgomery play, you have not seen physical play. Pacific league is a laugh this year, but if you have to convince yourself that its "tough" so you feel important, hey, do it, by all means. Burbank is finally winning because all of the other pacific league teams are weak. period. What a joke! Have a beer with the maranatha guy, you seem to have a lot in common. hey, contact the LS coach and see if burbank and la salle can have a pre-CIF scrimmage maybe????

A 1-0 victory over CV is not "with ease". Week in and week out the Pacific is physically tougher than La Salle's league. "with ease" is how Burbank would defeat La Salle. At least you were correct about Burbank having the Pacific's player of the year and one of the CIF's leading scorers.

OK, do we have to go through this again for you dense people, like burbanksports? La Salle has played several D1 schools in non-league games: Monte Vista (ranked in top 50), Louisville, Nolan Catholic, also ranked in top 50 (Texas), Notre Dame SO, yes, they lost to D3 power Mayfair in Dec., beat two ranked D5 teams, Marymount and Notre Dame Academy , easily. So...Burbanksports, as i've said before, get your facts straight. Pacific league is a laugh and has not bred a decent team in 2 years. I WISH LS got to play in that league. Arcadia, nah; Pasadeana sucks this season and CV, been there, done that with ease.; Who else is in this Pacific league??? Burbank? ha ha, you've got one kid scoring...La Salle would mop up the Pacific league with ease.

Is it to late to change my top ten?

Girls Soccer
La Canada 2, South Pasadena 0
San Marino 1, Monrovia 0.
La Canada has full game lead going into Thursday's game against Monrovia.

boys score

3-1 la canada over sp

close game 1-1 at half but spartans converted chances, tigers didnt.

Fred, Fred, Fred...who came up with your Girl's rankings? Did you throw darts at the wall? I'm definitely not an Arcadia fan, but they are a much better team than where you have them ranked. Yes, La Salle is having a great season, but they would not do very well in the Pacific League-maybe a 4th place finish in the Pacific? If Arcadia played the teams that La Salle played-they'd fare as well or better. Arcadia has lost to some of the best girl's programs in So Cal. La Salle has a nice win against CV and SO Notre Dame, but they also lost to Mayfair.
On another note- CV should be a part of your coverage area. There are residents with La Canada addresses that are in the CV district schools. After all the next four years will see a battle between CV and Burbank for the Pacific League title.

1 La Salle - A clear path to CIF D4 title
2 Maranatha - Deserve to drop but who should move up?
3 Arcadia - Would win most other leagues in the area
4 FSHA - FP, get this team in the right division!
5 Westridge - 0-2 to Mayfield a BIG red flag.
6 Monrovia - Will beat LC on Thursday
7 La Canada - A goalkeeper injury away from being a below average team
8 Flintridge Prep - They get the area's best keeper back for the playoffs.
9 South Pasadena - Lot of hype with minimal success
10 Mayfield - 2-0 win over Westrdige has to count for something