It wasn’t planned like this but Santa Barbara has become CIF’s unofficial site for this year’s Division II boys soccer Final Four. Santa Barbara and Dos Pueblos both host semifinal games on Tuesday with the chance to make a CIF Final on the line.
Opening whistles will sound at 3 p.m.
The top-seeded Dons, who face Katella, and the unseeded Chargers, who play Bell Gardens, are in opposite sides of the bracket. If both teams successfully defend their home turf, then the two Channel League rivals would meet in this weekend’s championship game.
“It’d be great for the community but I think we’re both not as concerned with who we play in the finals as much as just getting there,” Dons head coach Todd Heil said on Monday.
CIF DIVISION II PLAYOFF BRACKET
Santa Barbara, unbeaten on the season with a 28-0-1 record, is in the semifinals for the second-straight year but is seeking its first CIF championship since 2001.
“The focus is entirely on getting one step farther than last year,” Heil said.
Katella stands in the way. The Knights (12-4-8) upset fourth-seeded Palmdale in the first round as a wild-card team and have won two matches on penalty kicks in the postseason.
“I don’t think Katella was your average wildcard team,” Heil said, pointing out the strength of the Knights’ Empire League.
Dos Pueblos (14-5-7) has its hands equally full, matching up with Bell Gardens (18-2-5). The Lancers have won nine straight games and are unbeaten in their last 14.
“Outside of Santa Barbara, they will be the toughest team we’ve played all year,” said Chargers head coach Tovi Eliasen. “We really have to think of tomorrow as our final.”
DP will have to break through a water-tight Bell Gardens defense that hasn’t allowed a goal in five games. The Lancers have given up an ultra-conservative eight goals in 25 games this season.
The Chargers offense has what it takes, having scored 13 goals in DP’s last four contests.
“We feel like we’re playing our best soccer now,” Eliasen said on Monday. “I think they’re up for it.”
Dos Pueblos is also unbeaten in eight games at Scott O’Leary Stadium this season.
“We’re comfotable on our field. The home field in general gives us a huge edge,” noted Eliasen.
Should both the two local teams advance, a CIF final here in Santa Barbara would be likely on either Friday or Saturday. If only one or neither survives, the final will be played at Mission Viejo High School or Warren High School in Downey.
