(UPDATED) BREAKING NEWS: St. Francis defeats Cathedral Catholic, 4-2, to win first CIF Southern California Division II Regional Championship!!!!
By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer
DOWNEY - Cathedral Catholic's Josh Cintas sat near midfield with his arms crossed over his knees.
He was looking down and his eyes were closed. He clearly looked dejected and had four reasons to be.
Two steps away, David Rios and Kian Chachi of the St. Francis boys soccer team jumped around as they waited for play to resume.
Cathedral Catholic didn't need to wait for the final buzzer to go off.
This game, by all accounts, was all but over.
The second-seeded Golden Knights scored two goals in the first 10 minutes to cap a magical playoff run with a 4-2 win over the Dons to win the CIF Southern California Division II regional championship Saturday night at Warren.
St. Francis (18-6-5) got the fast start that eluded it throughout the CIF playoffs.
Eric Verso scored his 26th goal of the season and assisted on another. He gave the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead two minutes into the game and send the St. Francis faithful into a frenzy.
"He's been fantastic," St. Francis coach Glen Appels said. "The first goal was a great ball from (G.P. Gonzalez) but Brent (McCreary) let it go through and Verso, he's so good in front of the goal, sent a left-footed (shot) in the side netting.
"Three guys there to make it happen. What a great way to start."
Jake LaPorte gave St. Francis a cushion in the 10th minute when Verso's initial shot glanced off a defender. LaPorte found the ball and scored.
"Unbelievable," Appels said of the quick goals. "I told the guys if you told me we'd score four goals in a half I would have lost my house on that bet."
The game was a physical one. The referee issued two red cards and three yellows, all to Cathedral Catholic (19-7-4), which was the CIF-San Diego Section Division III champion.
Dylan Stafford was issued the first red card in the 40th minute after a scuffle with several St. Francis players. The Dons struggled to muster any offense and it became even more difficult playing a man down the entire second half. And with less than a minute remaining, the Dons' Thomas Justice was red-carded, too.
Frustration clearly had settled in.
"The game is the game, but when you see kids landing on their head I was honestly concerned about that," Appels said. "I understand (Cathedral Catholic) are competitors and not used to being down four goals in a half."
Amir Moore came off the bench again and played superbly. He scored in the 29th minute to give the Golden Knights a 3-0 lead. LaPorte scored his second goal in the 34th minute on an assist by Garrett Swart.
St. Francis keeper Jordan Bell also was outstanding. He made one jaw-dropping save after another and finished with seven saves.
"I've never felt anything like this," Bell said. "I've won some awards with club but to have an atmosphere like this was a great game. This was absolutely a dream come true. I never would have guessed it."
"As a whole defense I didn't think we've had a meltdown of this kind all season," Cathedral Catholic keeper Drew Illijevski said. "It's kind of unfortunate that when we have a meltdown it's in the state finals."
miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4485
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
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Props to all the SF players and coaches. Awesome job this year way to bring home the hardware and rings.
socalsoccer:
you're right for the most part, and pasadena didn't play with their full squad so it doesnt matter how they COULD have done against Rio Mesa, they didnt play.And Kentera: no one is nay saying St.Francis i congratulated them on their win i'm just giving my opinion and this is another opinion:
Miguel only saw Pasadena play once; a rivalry game against Muir on a field that could hardly have been called a soccer field.It was definitely one of their worst games the whole year yet they pulled out the win. I'm not saying Pasaena was unstoppable, they had 7 ties because they didn't have a stable forward up top, but from the midfield back they were VERY good and that is why i believe they could have upset St.Francis and Miguel never really saw Pasadena play. The Knights played great in the So Cal Regional but i doubt them simply because it wasn't shown all year, for whatever reason it may be.Like i said, no one is hating on ST.FRANCIS so relax! I'm giving them their credit!
To all the naysayers about St. Francis,
Scoreboard!!!!!! They won. Your school didn't. There is always next year for you. For now, it is St. Francis' year. Give them their dues.
PS. soccerfan-your the a$$!!
I have to inject my opinion. NO WAY DOES PASADENA OR MONROVIA BEAT ST. FRANCIS AT THIS POINT. PERIOD!
The interesting thing about this semi-state tournament is that the groupings are based solely on size. Local leagues are put together based on history and perceived strength. CIF-Southern Section divisions in most sports are based mostly on perceived strength. But when you get to state, you really get to see how teams do against other schools with the same number of kids (or in St. Francis's case, the same number of boys). Schools like PHS and Loyola should be able to beat St. Francis all the time -- they're much bigger schools with more kids to draw from and make up a team. It's nice to see St. Francis and other smaller schools show that they can compete against the big schools, but it's also nice to see them get rewarded for having a great program for a school their size.
J Serra also lost to Jordan, who lost to St. Francis in the playoffs. Pasadena players could have been there to watch that game since they went out in the first round. And that team that beat Pasadena, Rio Mesa, the division champion, lost to Cathedral Catholic 4-0. St. Francis beat Cathedral Catholic 4 - 1. Summary: PHS and Monrovia could not beat SF. They should not even be on the same field. Miguel has seen all three teams play... What is your opinion?
But regardless of all that, congratulations to St. Francis, they showed a lot of heart in their win.
SF Student Ass.,
I agree with Anony, PHS and Monrovia could have beaten St. Francis, regardless of what division there in. I saw all three teams this year and that is why i say it. I highly doubt you have ever seen either team play at all. And you don't play each other but the only reason i can give you for division not meaning anything is that PHS went to San Juan Capistrano and beat DIv.1 J Serra whom was ranked in the TOP 10(Above St.Francis) the whole year. And since you like to make excuses about you finishing 4th in league, PHS could have easily won CIF seeing as that the team they narrowly lost to without 6 starters won it all.Division doesn't always mean everything believe me and if you're confident come down to PHS and play because i know for sure they'll be solid next year.They'll be waiting.
Congrats to the Golden Knight soccer team and Coach Appels on this historic achievement. We've had some brilliant players and great teams that have come out of this program (Bobby Guerrero, David Beall, Pete Vagenas), won 3 CIF titles, but last night's win puts this group in rarified air on "The Hill".
Really phs and monrovia??? What division are they in??? I dont recall them winning a state title this year
st francis is good, but still think that monrovia or phs could have beeaten them
st francis is good, but still think that monrovia or phs could have beeaten them
Wake Up is a moron. Let's think about who St. Francis beat leading up to this championship...
Canoga Park (the 2007 "National" Champion according to USA Today), Valhalla (San Diego Division II Champion), and Cathedral Catholic (San Diego Division III Champion). Horrible competition, don't you think? It sounds like sour grapes from a Loyola player. What position did you play on your JV team, Wake up?
Why are people criticizing us for winning?? I think people are jealous of our achievements. And taking a shot at the football team, come on now. We had the best student section in the area! We played a great game all around! Verso= Player of the year. Coach Appels=Coach of the year. We play in DIVISION 1 aka the best division. Why doesn't he deserve Coach of the Year??? We came in fourth in league because of injuries and we play against the best teams. We are one of the best because of Coach Appels!
Why are people criticizing us for winning?? I think people are jealous of our achievements. And taking a shot at the football team, come on now. We had the best student section in the area! We played a great game all around! Verso= Player of the year. Coach Appels=Coach of the year. We play in DIVISION 1 aka the best division. Why doesn't he deserve Coach of the Year??? We came in fourth in league because of injuries and we play against the best teams. We are one of the best because of Coach Appels!
sf returns a lot of talent next year..and if michael gates plays who knows how far next year team can go.....go knights congrats on the regional championship
yawn
Why does one have to criticize or minimize other's achievement? As Miguel noted, if you have nothing to say, please zip it.
I saw an energized St. Francis team with great student and fan support, with St. Francis administrators reminding students to be gracious to their opponents in a hard fought physical contest with two red cards and three yellows, non to St. Francis.
Why can't we expect our youths to be respectful young adults? St. Francis student athletes have consistently exhibited those traits.
It's not the States. It is some diluted competition that makes no sense.
Congratulations to St. Francis, but did they become an offensive juggernaut overnight or the the quality of the opposition substancially less than who they played against in their league and the CIF's. If a team that finishes fourth in League and advanced to the Semi's has the Coach of the Year, so be it. But don't base any awards on the sectional results.
i heard that Salesian was playing with Academy players and might have to forfeit is it true?
Congrats St. Francis. i don't no how the level is state competition but cif looks like more competitive. southern cal is to strong. St. Francis coach of the year and Verso player of the year. maybe his last year. academy will have new rules i believe no more high school playing.
AMAZING. Viva La St.Francis baby. Four goals is unbelievable.
Good Luck tonight, St. Francis. You're doing the area proud.
Hey Beck, nice to see you on the blog too. Even the Galaxy is behind you Knights.
Its good to see at least one of the St. Francis "football" teams doing well! Who's more valuable, Verso or Riley?
congrats to st. francis.
good team.
but i heard verso was playing with the la galaxy academy team. or he decided not play....i guess not.
but good team.
PARTY BUS TO THE GAME! LETS GO KNIGHTS!
students goin crazy! OLAY OLAY OLAY OLAY...everyone come out to the SHIP!
students goin crazy! OLAY OLAY OLAY OLAY...everyone come out to the SHIP!
hahahah chachi from 45
lol more like 20
Big dogs gotta eat!!!!... Get sum sfhs!!!
The St. Francis-Cathedral Catholic game is slated for 7:00pm this Saturday at Warren High.
Go Golden Knights!
Congrats to Coach Appels and the Golden Knight soccer team for making the finals.
Let's bring it home, fellas.
eric verso is a stud
YOU MY BOY MIGUEL
- GUY IN THE STANDS
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KNIGTHS WILL DESTROY THE MUSTANGS
How about some love for the Salesian Mustangs in Division III. They are the only champion from last year's state tournament returning to the championship this year. They were CIF Division V champs in 2007, semi-finalists in 2008, state champs in 2008, and CIF champs again in 2009!
Before anyone talks about "small school soccer", take note that Salesian has defeated Saddleback, El Rancho, Bell Gardens, and El Camino Real in the last few years. In addition, they continue to send players to Division I schools (Silva to UCSB and Alvarez to UCONN from last year's team!).
They have outscored their CIF-SS opponents and state opponents 29-3 over the 7 games of the playoffs so far!
Go Mustangs!
The finals will be against Cathedral Catholic
Congratulations to St. Francis! Well done!
-Steve Lesse
My bad, I meant before this season, St. Francis hadn't gone past the second round since 2003.
GUYS: PLEASE pick a NAME!!!!
Congrats St. Francis. Best of luck Saturday!
GO KNIGHTS!!!
im pretty sure st. francis made it past the 2nd round this year.. there was the first round, second round, quarterfinals, and then semis which they lost in