League champ Wildcats set for CIF boys soccer playoffs
Freshman John Trujillo leads the Wildcats in scoring with 13 goals. (File photo) By Doug Spoon, Editor Sunbelt League champion Paloma Vall...
Freshman John Trujillo leads the Wildcats in scoring with 13 goals. (File photo)
By Doug Spoon, Editor
Sunbelt League champion Paloma Valley will take a five-game winning streak into the CIF playoffs when the Wildcats play host to Wilson High of Hacienda Heights in a Division 6 boys soccer game on Wednesday.
Paloma Valley hasn’t lost since a 4-0 loss on Jan. 5 to Elsinore, the Wildcats’ main competition for the league title. The Wildcats bounced back to defeat Elsinore 2-1 on Jan. 24 and closed out the regular season with two more victories to wrap up the league title.
The Wildcats are 15-3-3 heading into the playoffs.
“The boys have come together and we think are peaking at the right time,” coach Carlos Duran said. “Humility is key in all that we do.”
Junior goalkeeper Jan Yu returned to the lineup on Jan. 19 due to an injury to freshman Ian Evans. “Jan has played lights out, especially in that crucial league game at Elsinore,” Duran said.
Freshman John Trujillo leads the team with 13 goals and senior Nathan Lucas leads in assists with 11. Captain Danny Garcia has 7 goals and 5 assists on the season.
“Danny and also captain Ryan Pruitt are the leaders of this team,” Duran said. “Without Ryan’s defensive tenacity and intelligence, we would not have the success we have today.”
In a Division 7 wild card game, Santa Rosa Academy will be at home on Wednesday against Desert Christian of Lancaster. The Rangers are 10-8 overall and finished second in the South Valley League.