THE PREPS : Boys’ Soccer Playoffs : On a Roll, Mater Dei Comes Up Against a Rock in Palos Verdes

When the Southern Section boys’ soccer quarterfinals kick off at 3 p.m. today, Mater Dei High School will have a tough assignment. The Monarchs (12-8) are at home in a 4-A match against top-seeded, undefeated and untied Palos Verdes (29-0).

Mater Dei’s record is not indicative of the team’s ability, according to first-year Coach John O’Neil.

Several varsity players were suspended for disciplinary reasons two weeks before the start of league play, but Mater Dei regrouped to win the Angelus League title with a 7-1 record.

“We are definitely an underrated team,” O’Neil said. “We have overcome our problems at the beginning of the year. I see (the game) as being very close because the kids are peaking.”

Mater Dei met Palos Verdes at full strength in the Fountain Valley tournament earlier this season and lost, 2-0.

Marty Williams is Mater Dei’s leading scorer with 12 goals and 6 assists. Forward Mike Ammann (5 goals) came out of the goal halfway through league play to spark the offense, and stopper Jason Blair and midfielder Doug West are other key players.

Orange County was well-represented when the playoffs started, with three of the five top-seeded teams.

After Brea-Olinda was upset by Ganesha Wednesday in 2-A play, the number has narrowed to two top-seeded teams, Mission Viejo in 3-A and Whittier Christian in 1-A. They join seven other Orange County teams still alive.

Edison (12-5-3), the only other county team left in 4-A, travels to third-seeded Chino (17-3-5).

In 3-A, Mission Viejo (23-3) plays host to Cerritos (19-6-2), and third-seeded Santa Ana (19-1-6) plays at Riverside Poly (24-2-5).

In the 2-A division, only three of 13 county teams remain. Top-seeded Brea and third-seeded Pacifica were upset in second-round play.

The dark horse of the 2-A division, Kennedy, upset fourth-seeded Arroyo Grande Wednesday. The Fighting Irish (13-5-3) play at Esperanza (14-3-2).

Woodbridge (10-4-6) travels to Burbank to play second-seeded Burroughs (19-1-1).

In the 1-A division, top-seeded Agoura (21-2-1) will play at Troy (13-3-3), the only county team remaining.

In the small schools division, top-seeded Whittier Christian (16-3-3) of La Habra plays host to Rim of the World (18-6-1).