The CIF Southern Section boys’ and girls’ lacrosse playoffs are currently in progress and nearing the midway point of the postseason. First round action for the boys’ teams took place Wednesday, May 4, while the girls’ teams hit the field Thursday, May 5, at locations across Southern California. All-in-all, four local boys’ teams started their journey to becoming potential CIF Southern Section Champions in the Division 2 and Division 3 brackets.
Great Oak traveled to Edison High School in Huntington Beach to take on the Chargers in their Division 2 first round match-up, which the Wolfpack won 10-3. Temecula Valley, also in the Division 2 bracket, had a first-round bye as the No. 1 seed from the Southwestern League. The two teams were on a collision course that could see them in a semifinal game against each other if the wins kept stacking up.
The squad from Great Oak (12-3) had to take to the road again for their second-round match, which was against Beckman High School in Irvine Friday, May 6. Unfortunately, the Wolfpack fell 6-3. Temecula Valley (17-2) was the home team when they faced and defeated Oak Park, 17-8, in their second-round playoff appearance. The Golden Bears were home to face Aliso Niguel (17-2) Monday, May 9, in the quarterfinals of their bracket, but fell 9-3, ending their postseason run.
In the Division 3 brackets, Vista Murrieta (17-4) took down Long Beach Poly with a commanding 17-2 win at home to open their playoff run. The Broncos moved on to face Thacher High School (9-3), in their quarterfinal home game, Friday, May 6, which they won 11-4. Their semifinal match-up was against Mission Viejo (12-8) Monday, May 9, and with a 9-8 win, the Broncos will be headed to the finals against Crescenta Valley (19-2). The Falcons beat University, 15-7, to get to the final matchup. That game will be played at Crescenta Valley High School Saturday, May 14. Game time TBD.
Linfield High School did not have the same luck as their local counterparts. In their Division 3 first-round match-up against University High School, Linfield Christian (14-7) fell 28-10, knocking them out of playoff contention. University (13-8) was the No. 3 seed out of the Pacific league. Zac Williams, Linfield’s standout goal scorer and the Nation’s No. 1 point scorer (152 points before the playoffs), ended his senior campaign with five goals in the game. Jacob Washburn and Mackenzie Farley had two goals apiece and Matthew Walker had one goal for the cause.
For the girls’ lacrosse teams that advanced to the playoffs, every local team won their first-round match-up, which is a first in the sport’s 3-year CIF sanctioned history (losing one full year to the pandemic). Southwestern League champions Murrieta Mesa defeated JSerra 6-4 in the Division 2 brackets. The Lady Rams then traveled to face Westlake (11-6) Saturday, May 7, in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. The Lady Warriors of Westlake beat Beckman 14-12 in the first round, but could not get past Murrieta Mesa, who won 11-6. Next up will be Mater Dei for the Lady Rams, which will be a semifinal road game this week.
In the opening round of the Division 3 brackets, Murrieta Valley beat El Toro 16-11, Vista Murrieta beat Valencia 16-2 and Chaparral beat Northview in an overtime thriller, 8-7. Senior Riley Finch scored 4 goals in the match, with her most critical coming in overtime, sending the Lady Pumas to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.
The quarterfinals of the CIF-SS playoffs went down Saturday, May 7, where the Lady Nighthawks traveled to face top-seed Culver City (13-4), who had a bye in the first round. Murrieta Valley fell to the top-seeded Lady Centaurs, 17-9. The Lady Broncos were home to take on Santa Monica (first round win over Cate, 13-4), who they beat 13-4.
Vista Murrieta will face Village Christian (13-5) this week in the semifinals. As for Chaparral, they faced and beat Orange Lutheran, 11-8, who defeated Long Beach Wilson, 18-1, in their first-round match. The Lady Pumas will be at home in their next match-up, which is going to be against the Los Angeles based all-girls school of Marlborough (14-2).
According to the CIF Southern Section website, game times are set for 3:15 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Most teams have been playing later in the afternoon or early evening due to being able to adjust their own schedules, so be sure to check with the school’s Athletic Office to confirm actual times. For any local teams advancing, whether it is boys’ or girls’ teams, the CIF-SS finals will be happening Saturday, May 14.
* Playoff brackets can also be seen on the CIF Southern Section website at www.cifss.org.
** If we missed any local high school teams, or posted scores are wrong, please report them to the Valley News Sports Department by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
