Area teams prepare for postseason action
TEMECULA – In a triumphant conclusion to their season, the Great Oak Wolfpack boys’ soccer team clinched the Southwestern League title with a stellar 8-1-1 record. Their final victory came against Murrieta Mesa High School Thursday, Feb. 1, sweeping the match with an impressive 7-2 score.
The Wolfpack outmaneuvered their closest rivals, the Vista Murrieta Broncos, finishing ahead in the standings due to fewer losses, with both teams claiming eight wins. As it stands, Great Oak’s record tops the league, followed by Vista Murrieta (8-2), then Murrieta Valley (4-4-2), Temecula Valley (4-5-1), Chaparral (2-7-1), and Murrieta Mesa rounding out with a 1-8-1 record.
According to MaxPreps, the SWL had standout performances this season from Nicholas Powell, leading with 17 goals; Mikey Castanon, with a remarkable 59 saves at keeper; and JT Trevino, providing his team with 23 assists. With the regular season behind them, Great Oak now looks towards the CIF Southern Section playoffs. The schedule kicks off with wildcard matches on February 5, followed by the first round on February 7 and February 9 across various divisions.
Although there are no local representatives in the Open Division and Division 1 and 2 playoffs this year, excitement is building in the area as local squads step onto the field for the crucial first rounds in Divisions 3 through 7.
In Division 3, fierce competition kicks off with Northview taking on Great Oak, while Vista Murrieta heads to battle Rialto. Division 4 sees Hemet playing away at Diamond Ranch and Elsinore visiting Troy for what promises to be intense opening matches.
The Division 5 teams start strong with Marshall facing San Jacinto in a wild-card matchup. The first round will also see Murrieta Valley at Mountain View and Riverside Prep taking on Orange Vista, while Shadow Hills confronts Nuview Bridge and Ramona plays against Linfield Christian.
Division 6 ramps up with Ontario Christian traveling to Tahquitz, and Wilson/HH is slated for an encounter with Paloma Valley. Lastly, in Division 7, Temecula Prep heads to CAMS, and Desert Christian meets Santa Rosa Academy, while Heritage tackles Cornerstone Christian in the wild-card round.
* Playoff brackets can also be seen on the CIF-SS website on the sport’s page at www.cifss.org.
** If we missed any local high school teams, or you need to report scores/stats/updates, please send them to the Valley News Sports Department by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
