Boys’ soccer undefeated season means high ranking in playoff brackets.

By Timithie NORMAN

Though Pacific League play ended last Thursday, the players on the Crescenta Valley boys’ soccer team hope they are just getting started. With a 16-0-6 overall and 12-0-2 league record and third consecutive league championship, the Falcons have enjoyed a successful season thus far.

“I think the most memorable league games were the first game against Burroughs [7-0, CV] and the game against Glendale [7-1, CV],” Head Coach Grant Clark said. “In both games we set the tempo of the game early and we were able to score plenty of goals.”

Now the players, almost half of who are seniors, are eagerly anticipating a long and victorious CIF playoff run.

“We need to come out confident,” Clark said. “We feel like if we take care of the ball we will get the opportunities that we need to come out on top.”

The team, ranked third below El Rancho and Artesia in the final CIF Southern Section Division 4 poll, kicks off post-season play with a 3 p.m. home game today, Thursday, against wild card winner Laguna Beach. If they win, the second round is played on Tuesday.

Last year, the Falcons were knocked out of the running by top-seeded El Rancho in the quarterfinals, marking the furthest the Crescenta Valley team had ever gone in school history.

“Last year we lost to El Rancho 3-1,” said junior Rani Dimashki. “We want to beat them this year. We want revenge.”

If the two teams meet again, it won’t be until the semifinals on Feb. 28, a game sure to draw crowds from both schools.

Playoffs continue through the division finals held the weekend of March 2-3.

  Timithe NORMAN