Class 3-A Boys’ Soccer Playoffs : Valhalla Eases to Final; Torrey Pines Surprises

A rain storm swept over the Hilltop High School soccer field here Tuesday night as the second half of a boys’ 3-A semifinal between Valhalla and Bonita Vista High School kicked off.

But the flood had already occurred in the first half.

Two-time defending champion and current No. 1 seed Valhalla (22-0-1) scored four goals before halftime, including three in the opening 13 minutes, and eased passed Bonita Vista, 5-2, to advance to Friday’s championship game against Torrey Pines.

Torrey Pines (19-6-0) upset second-seeded San Dieguito, 1-0, in the earlier semifinal between Palomar League rivals.

Bonita Vista finished 14-7-1 and San Dieguito closed at 17-3-2.

“We played really nice, settled soccer,” said Valhalla Coach George Logan. “When Bonita Vista got the ball, we smothered.”

Valhalla midfielder Brandon Sargent scored two goals and had two assists to lead the Norsemen.

Both of Sargent’s assists came in the first half, his goals one in each half. Scott Hargrove added a goal and an assist, Robbie Lott had a goal, Damian Taitano had a goal and Tony Taitano had an assist for Valhalla.

In the opener, Torrey Pines scored seven minutes into the first half and then used a tight defense.

Aaron Webb took a deflection off of teammate Andy Newby and pounded it past San Dieguito goalkeeper Matt Brunini for the score. It was all Torrey Pines would need.