Boys’ soccer: LA/OC vs. San Diego ... the previews

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I was born and raised in Tijuana, but I consider San Diego one of my homes -- I know, I have a great backyard (pictured).

My interest is always peaked when I see a team from San Diego coming north to play someone from the LA/OC area. It’s mere curiosity, though. I’ve learned that the teams and athletes in this area, generally speaking, are much, much better than the ones down there.

I think San Diego is a much, much better city than Los Angeles, but despite my allegiance to the 6-1-9, it’s hard to go against Santa Monica and Santa Margarita in Saturday’s Division I and Division II boys’ championship games of the Southern California Regionals. Considering that I was 11-1 with my predictions in the semis, you should probably pay attention to my previews.

DIVISION I

The matchup: No. 1 Santa Monica (28-0-1) vs. No. 7 Poway (21-2-5), at Warren High, 1 p.m.

The Scoop: Poway, the San Diego Section Division I champion, has one objective: Hand Santa Monica its first loss of the season.

Titans Coach Gene Morris told the Union-Tribune that he would “love” to be the first team to beat the Vikings. That’s easier said than done, of course.

Santa Monica’s only blemish came when it tied Crespi, 1-1, on Dec. 15. The Vikings, the Southern Section Division IV champions, have won 22 consecutive games since the tie. During that stretch, they’ve moved up to No. 2 in the StudentSportsSoccer.com national rankings.

Santa Monica has a balanced attack that’s scored 108 goals and a solid defense that’s only allowed 16.

My prediction: Santa Monica, 3-0. Goals by Alessandro Canale, Eduardo Delgado and Loyola Marymount-bound Artur Jozkowicz.

DIVISION II

The Matchup: No. 1 Santa Margarita (23-3-4) vs. No. 2 San Diego Cathedral Cathedral, at Warren High, 3:30 p.m.

The Scoop: With another shutout, Santa Margarita would break its school record for least goals allowed. The Eagles, who have allowed only 12 goals in 30 games, set the current mark of 13 back in 1993, when future MLS players Seth George, Josh Keller and Matt Reis were on the team.

This year’s defense features two 6-foot defenders (Loyola Marymount-bound Roger Downes and Trey Whitaker) and a 6-foot-5 goalkeeper (Billy Thompson, a junior). On offense, midfielder Austin McAnena, a junior, is the playmaker with 19 assists, and California-bound forward Mike Munoz is the scorer with 22 goals.

My prediction: Santa Margarita, 2-0. Goals by forward Casey Wootan and midfielder Alex Rodriguez.

-- Jaime Cardenas