One coach's take on ACA-DHS semifinal game...
In a span of eight days, Ontario Christian head boys' soccer coach Len Fakkema and his Knights saw Arrowhead Christian Academy and Desert Hot Springs in soccer action.
During a Feb. 7 meeting, the Knights came to ACA and lost a 3-0 contest, one of two setbacks against the Eagles. Just eight days later, the Knights were eliminated in the first round of the Division VI playoffs, dropping a 3-2 double overtime game to the Golden Eagles.
So what does Fakkema expect in Tuesday's semifinal game?
"I think this match is going to be an interesting match," he said. "Both teams are excellent teams with different styles of play, but yet very similar. Both teams are very quick and pass very well. Desert Hot Springs is a big team and ACA is not quite as big. Both teams have great strikers. DHS is an older team with several seniors whereas ACA has a few (seniors)."
In their playoff loss against DHS, the Knights rallied from a 1-0 deficit at halftime and 2-1 deficit in the first overtime.
But in a clear showing of who was the more dominating team. the Golden Eagles took 40 shots on goal to OC's six.
"Our keeper made 20 saves," noted Fakkema's of the Golden Eagles' offensive pressure.
The OC match has been the toughest so far for DHS, which has not allowed a goal in their second round and quarterfinal victories,
Meanwhile, the Eagles blanked their first two playoff opponents before last Thursday's 3-2 victory at St. Margaret's.
DHS enters Tuesday's meeting with a 16-4-4 record. They are led by junior forward Eduardo Torres, who has a team-high 44 points (14 goals, 16 assists) on the season.