La Jolla, University City, San Pasqual Are No Strangers to Finals

If this year’s San Diego Section 2-A boys’ and girls’ soccer championships seem redundant, well, there’s a reason.

Of the four teams playing for titles, three were doing the same thing a year ago.

In the boys’ division, No. 4-seeded La Jolla (18-3-2) plays defending champion and No. 6-seeded University City (15-5-2) at 8 p.m. in a rematch of last year’s title game.

In the girls’ bracket, two-time defending-champion and No. 1-seeded San Pasqual (21-2-1) faces No. 2-seeded newcomer University City (18-2-2) at 6 p.m.

Both matches are at Torrey Pines High School.

This will be the third meeting this season between City Western League boys’ teams La Jolla and University City. The first ended in a 0-0 tie, and La Jolla won the second, 1-0. University City defeated La Jolla in last year’s section championship game, 4-1.

University City’s return to the championship match comes as somewhat of a surprise. The Centurions lost five starters from last year’s team to the La Jolla Nomads, a 19-and-under club. CIF rules do not permit playing for both a high school and club team at the same time.

“We’re very happy the way things have turned out,” said Donaldo Viana, University City coach. “It’s been a step-by-step struggle. The players have done a tremendous job. They’re very courageous and have a strong desire to win.”

Striker Michael O’Shea and halfback Justin Stockton lead University City in scoring. Dave Beck is the team’s top defender.

La Jolla will be looking for leadership from midfielders Mike Hughes, Ankist Zadeyan, Adi Jacob and Brian Keefe, the Western League Player of the Year.

“Our strength is in playing as a team,” La Jolla Coach Jerzy Szyndlar said. “If some individual players try to turn the game around themselves, we’ll have problems.”

San Pasqual held a pep assembly Friday morning for its girls’ soccer and basketball teams, which both advanced to championship games. “The girls are really upbeat right now,” San Pasqual soccer Coach Bill Bullock said. “And we’re peaking at the right time.”

Offensively, San Pasqual will look to Karin Lindsay, the Avocado League co-player of the year. Defensively, Cathy Day, Tricia Baglio and Kris Kuhlmeyer have been playing well.

University City is coming off an emotional, double-overtime, 3-2 semifinal victory over Ramona. “I hope the intensity we had against Ramona will carry over to Saturday’s (today’s) game,” University Coach Rob Coons said.

Forward Sonja Munevar and wing Sally Wiegand are University City’s top two offensive threats.