TEMECULA – In their first meetup earlier this month, local rivals in Temecula Valley and Great Oak ended in a 3-3 draw, bringing a halt to the Golden Bears’ recent string of victories. The intense match saw both teams trade blows, ultimately sharing the points in a hard-fought battle.
The draw was the second one of the season for the Temecula Valley boys’ soccer team, which adjusted their season record to 7-4-2. The Great Oak Wolfpack moved to 3-1-4 on the year. Both Southwestern League teams left the field with something to build on as they headed into a packed season of competition.
Both squads went into the rivalry match with momentum from strong performances earlier in the week. Prior to their match, Temecula Valley had delivered a commanding 7-1 victory over Murrieta Mesa. That win marked their sixth consecutive victory against the Rams and continued an impressive offensive trend for the Golden Bears, who have increased their goal output in each of their last three contests.
Great Oak also entered that first rivalry match on a high note, having secured a clean-sheet 2-0 victory against the Chaparral Pumas. The win was a solid performance for the Wolfpack, with goals from Mason Pina and Ryder Hadley. Their combined effort brought their season total to 12 goals. The result was consistent with the teams’ state rankings, where Great Oak holds a considerable advantage.
With only a few games left in the season, the stage is set for a dramatic rematch between these two crosstown rivals this week, when Great Oak travels to face the Golden Bears at Temecula Valley High School. With league standings on the line, the game promises to be another chapter in their competitive history.
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