Boys’ soccer: Some bracket observations

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Here’s my regional take on the boys’ soccer playoff brackets released by the Southern Section Monday:

Ho-hum first round -- From what I can tell, there doesn’t seem to be any intriguing Division I first-round matchups. Calabasas’ downhill trek to Crespi could be interesting, but I think freshman leading scorer Juan Mendoza and the wall-like Celts’ defense are going to be a little too much for Daniel Steres and the rest of the Coyotes. Plus, the Celts are eager to get over the goose egg they laid in their regular-season finale. In another all-regional matchup, Quartz Hill should get past Thousand Oaks, but it’ll get much tougher for the Golden League champions in the quarterfinals.

They’re No. 1 -- Santa Barbara once again came out on top of the competitive Channel League and was rewarded with a No. 1 seed by the Division II bracket builders. Still, I’m not convinced the boys from the so-called American Riviera are unbeatable. Channel League runner-up Ventura is just as talented in my book, and there’s a very good chance these two teams will meet up in the final. I just hope all their hard work doesn’t culminate in a tie.

Warrior uprising? -- Does Tri-Valley League champion Carpinteria have a chance to make the Division V finals? In one word, definitely. In many words, the Warriors have a great shot because that would be the absolute earliest they would have to play top-seeded (and undefeated) Salesian. Still, it’s going be tough squeezing past a talented Pasadena Marshall squad on their side of the bracket.

Switch places -- I was a little surprised Buckley was seeded ahead of Malibu in the Division VI bracket. After all, the Sharks didn’t surrender a goal during their pillaging of the Frontier League (have outscored all foes, 48-7) and beat a team the Griffins didn’t -- Crossroads. Still, there’s a good chance these teams will meet up in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, so we won’t have to wait long to see who’s better.

Another Div. VI blurb -- I’m kind of curious to see how well Montclair Prep will do in the postseason. Led by the state’s leading scorer -- Austin Mandel -- the Mounties have beaten Delphic League foes by an average of nearly seven goals. However, Pacific Hills and Kilpatrick aren’t necessarily soccer powerhouses, either. If the Mounties want to get some respect, they’re going to have to battle the odds and earn it.

-- Austin Knoblauch

-- Image from www.co.delaware.ny.us