The area batted .333 today in girls soccer, with La Serna scoring a 3-0 victory at Palm Springs to advance to Friday’s Division 5 quarterfinals against Woodcrest Christian at a site to be determined by coin flip.
La Mirada, in Division 3, and California in Division 5 were not so fortunate.
The Matadores dropped a 4-1 setback at Chino Hills and the Condors lost to No. 2 seed Cajon, 6-0.
Above: Gabby Pierandozzi scored four goals, but La Serna’s dream of advancing to its first CIF-SS finals ended with a 15-7 loss to Murrieta Valley on Wednesday. (Staff file photo by Leo Jarzomb)
GIRLS WATER POLO
SEMIFINALS
At Woollett Aquatic Center, Irvine
Division 3
No. 1 Murrieta Valley 15, La Serna 7
IRVINE — La Serna High School was hoping to make history Wednesday.
Murrieta Valley instead, showed its dominance.
Paige Virgil scored seven goals and Kayla Fedler had four to lead the Nighthawks to a 15-7 victory over La Serna in a CIF-Southern Section Division 3 semifinal at William Woollett Aquatic Center.
Murrieta Valley, also getting two goals from Megan Geurts adn eight saves from goalie Abby Goviea, improved to 23-6 and will face Arroyo Grande, a 7-6 winner over St. Lucy’s, in Saturday’s championship game, scheduled for Woollett Aquatic Center at 6 p.m.
Gabby Pierandozzi had four goals for La Serna, which finished 22-10. The Lancers were attempting to earn a spot in the finals since girls water polo was sanctioned by the CIF-SS in 1998.
La Serna coach Erin Brown: “I’m just so proud of the girls. They deserved to be here. It’s the first time in maybe, ever, that La Serna has made it to the semifinals. I think it’s an accomplishment in itself to be here today.”
Division 2
Mater Dei 13, Montebello 5
IRVINE — It would easy today for Montebello High School girls water polo coach David Keys to be disappointed after the Oilers lost in the CIF-Southern Section divisional final four for the second consecutive season.
But he prefers to look at that as more as a positive after top seed Mater Dei scored a 13-5 victory over No. 4 Montebello in a Division 2 semifinal Wednesday at the William Woollett Aquatic Center.
The Monarchs, getting four goals from Brianna Daboub and three from Makenzie Barr, improved to 26-4 and will face Corona Santiago, which beat Agoura, in Saturday’s championship game here at 3:20 p.m.
Montebello, which received two goals each from Unica Garcia and Syania Morales, finished 22-12.
Montebello coach David Keys: “It”s disappointing when you lose, regardless of which ever way you look at it. But these girls fought all year. I’m proud of them. We lost two good players (off last year’s team) and made it back to the semifinals.
“Nobody thought we could make it back, especially in Division 2, where it’s so competitive. But to reload and make it back, it’s an accomplishment.”
It’s the girls turn today in the CIF-SS playoffs.
In basketball St. Paul, led by Priscilla Hidalgo have a tough task with a Division 4A quarterfinal home game against St. Bonaventure. Whittier, meanwhile, takes to the road when it travels to Redondo in a 2AA second-round game. Both games are at 7 pm.
In girls soccer, La Serna and La Mirada are at home, with the Lancers in the desert at Palm Springs, while the Mats travel to Chino Hills. California is at home, but against No. 2 Cajon.
I will be in Irvine as the La Serna and Montebello girls water polo teams play semifinal games against Murrieta Valley and Mater Dei, respectively. The Lancers play at 3, with the Oilers at 6. Both games are at the William Woollett Aquatic Center.
File Photo
CALABASAS — Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary might just be a team of destiny.
The Cardinals sure looked the part Tuesday night.
Jose Estrada scored 27 points and had a key steal and layup and Cantwell advanced to CIF-Southern Section semifinals for the first time in recent memory after rallying for a 70-65 victory over host Viewpoint in a Division 4A quarterfinal boys basketball game at the Paul Family Athletic Center.
The No. 3 seed Cardinals, also getting 20 points from Jacob Alaniz, including two huge 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, improved to 25-5 and will travel to either No. 2 Ontario Christian or Brentwood on Friday.
Tim Howell had 22 points and Jake Borenstein scored 18 for the Patriots, who finished 18-9. Borenstein, who had 14 points at halftime, missed an open 3-pointer with about three seconds to play for the tie. Alaniz made two free throws with one second left to account for the final 70-65 score.
Cantwell coach George Zedan: “I would say Jose had an average game at best today. But what you have to appreciate about him — and our other kids — is to continuing to battle, continuing to play hard. He missed a lot of free throws, a lot of easy shots. But made the big play when we needed it. That’s what good players do.”
Above: Montebello High’s William Martinez, right, leaps for a header during Tuesday’s CIF-Southern Section Division 1 playoff against Millikan. (Staff Photo by Leo Jarzomb)
El Rancho continues to play tight, thrilling games, but the Dons also continue to win, scoring a 2-1 victory over Diamond Ranch in a Division 4 second round game on Tuesday. The Dons, ranked No. 5 nationally by ESPN and seeking its second consecutive CIF-SS title, improved to 24-0 and advanced to Thursday’s quarterfinals. El Rancho will host South Torrance at 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Francisco Lara scored both goals for the Dons, who had to withstood a final rally by the Panthers in the waning moments.
Back in the 562, Montebello’s road came to an end, losing to No. 2 Millikan, 2-0, in a Division 1 second-round game.
El Rancho 2, Diamond Ranch 1
Millikan 2, Montebello 0