Months of training and practice are over. The San Diego Section playoffs began Tuesday for high school soccer boys teams and Wednesday for the girls teams in Division I through V en route to the championships on March 5. Here is guide to the girls teams, which includes the newly added Division 5 for smaller schools.
DIVISION I
Outlook: Its no secret that schools from the North County usually dominate in the playoffs. No. 1 Torrey Pines (17-2-4), No. 2 Poway (14-7-2), No. 3 Rancho Bernardo (14-6-4) and No. 4 Carlsbad (10-3-5) earned first-round byes. But there is a mix of South Bay and East County schools looking to make a statement this season. Otay Ranch and Eastlake represent the South in this bracket.
Schedule (All matches are 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted.)
First round, Wednesday, Feb. 23:
Otay Ranch (10-7-6) at Granite Hills (10-6-1)
Mission Hills (13-3-5) at Calexico (10-5-4)
Escondido (8-6-5) at Rancho Buena Vista (11-7-3)
Grossmont (5-10-4) at Eastlake (10-2-5)
Quarterfinals on Feb. 26
Semifinals are on March 2
Finals are on March 5 at Westview High, 3:15 p.m.
DIVISION II
Outlook: This could be regarded as one of the toughest brackets to predict in recent seasons. Westview (13-4-5) took the top seed while Hilltop (14-3-4) comes into the playoffs with the No. 3 seed and what is considered one of the top teams in the county. La Costa Canyon (13-3-3) is accustomed to first round byes. It earned one with the No. 3 seed while Steele Canyon (15-4-4) represents the East County with the No. 4 seed. Bonita Vista joins Hilltop as the second South Bay school in this bracket.
Schedule (All matches 5 p.m. otherwise noted)
First round, Wednesday, Feb. 23:
Valhalla (6-11-5) at Scripps Ranch (14-5-6)
Mount Carmel (5-13-3) at West Hills (13-5-5)
Patrick Henry (14-5-5) at Bonita Vista (11-6-7)
San Marcos (10-5-5) at Point Loma (12-5-5)
Quarterfinals Feb. 26
Semifinals March 2
Finals March 5 at Cathedral Catholic High, 11 a.m.
DIVISION III
Outlook: Cathedral Catholic (13-6-4) is perhaps the favorite to win the division but don't tell No. 2 La Jolla (11-4-3) they don't have a chance. These are two teams expected to make some noise in this bracket. No. 3 Canyon Crest (11-5-3) could be the dark horse while No. 4 University City (13-6-2) always carries a talented squad. Southwest is the only South Bay team to reach this bracket.
Schedule (All matches 5 p.m. otherwise noted)
First round, Wednesday, Feb. 23
El Capitan (9-9-3) at San Dieguito (9-9-2)
Southwest (14-4-2) at Mission Bay (14-6-3)
Clairemont (13-3-1) at Our Lady Peace (6-11-2)
Ramona (7-14) at Santana (14-9-1)
Quarterfinals Feb. 26
Semifinals March 2
Finals March 5 at Westview High, 7:45 p.m.
DIVISION IV
Outlook: When thinking of Division IV playoffs, there are four teams that come to mind. And those four were seeded and earned first-round byes. Those are top-seeded Bishop's (11-3), No. 2 Coronado (9-6-4), No. 3 Francis Parker (13-7-4) and No. 4 La Jolla Country Day (11-3-5). Chula Vista High Tech will try to make an impact in this bracket filled with powerhouse teams.
Schedule (All matches 5 p.m. otherwise noted)
First round, Wednesday, Feb. 23:
Guajome Park (9-4-1) at CV High Tech High (14-3-1)
Del Norte (9-7-5) at Preuss (13-4-1)
Mountain Empire (8-6-3) at Valley Center (10-6-2)
Holtville (11-6-3) at Escondido Charter (14-2-2)
Quarterfinals Feb. 26
Semifinals March 2
Finals March 5 at Cathedral Catholic 4 p.m.
DIVISION V
Outlook: For years, some of the schools now playing in Division IV never really had a shot at winning a section title with powerhouse schools such as Bishop's, La Jolla Country Day, Coronado and Francis Parker in the mix. That's not a problem now that Division V has been added this year. Expect the unexpected in this bracket with No. 1 Santa Fe Christian (6-11-1), No. 2 Horizon (7-10-4), No. 3 Foothills Christian (17-4) and No. 4 River Valley (12-7-2) earning first round byes. Chula Vista High Tech could have a shot as well. They are one of few teams in the division with a winning record and only three loses this season. The division even features a team that one only one game. That is Julian. Borrego Springs won two.
Schedule (All matches 5 p.m. otherwise noted)
First round, Wednesday, Feb. 23:
Calvin Christian (9-4-3) at CV High Tech (14-3-1)0
Julian (1-17) at Tri-City Christian (5-8-8)
Borrego Springs (2-12-1) at Pacific Ridge (7-7-2)
Vincent Memorial (3-7-3) at The Rock (14-5-1)
Quarterfinals Feb. 26
Semifinals March 2
Finals March 5 at Westview High, 10:45 a.m.
