SOUTHERN SECTION SOCCER PLAYOFFS : DIVISION IV BOYS : Santa Margarita Rolls Into Its First Title Game

While his players piled on top of each other in celebration, Santa Margarita boys’ soccer Coach Curt Bauer remained all business.

The Eagle players had reason to celebrate, having just defeated Sonora, 2-0, in the Division IV semifinals Tuesday at Santa Margarita. They advance to Saturday’s 4 p.m. championship game at Cerritos Gahr High against top-seeded Corona Centennial, a 3-0 winner over Hemet.

It marks the first time a Santa Margarita boys’ team has reached a Southern Section championship game in any sport.

Still, Bauer made sure the Eagles didn’t get too excited.

“It’s not over,” Bauer said. “I told the guys to be happy and enjoy the win today, but tomorrow there’s practice and we’re nobody again.”

Santa Margarita certainly didn’t play like a nobody against Sonora. The Eagles dominated the last 60 minutes and never let the previously red-hot Raiders challenge after a tentative start.

Sonora (16-6-3), which blitzed third-seeded El Monte, 6-3, in the quarterfinals, couldn’t take advantage of Santa Margarita’s early sluggishness--because of the goalkeeping of Matt Reis. While the second-seeded Eagles (24-1-3) tried to establish their offensive rhythm, Reis made sure Sonora didn’t get any momentum from a quick goal.

Reis, who recorded his 20th shutout of the season, only had to make two tough saves in the first half, but contributed consistently with good out-of-goal positioning that stopped the Raiders from getting close-range attempts.

With 12 minutes left in the first half, Santa Margarita scored its first goal when Kevin Cimini kicked in a rebound off a shot by Seth George. From that point on, the Eagles were in control.

Josh Keller scored his team-high 17th goal early in the second half.