DIVISION II BOYS’ SOCCER : Mater Dei Shuts Out Diamond Bar

The Mater Dei boys’ soccer team has come a long way since last season, when it lost to La Puente Bishop Amat in the first round of the playoffs.

Friday at home, the Monarchs advanced to the semifinals, beating Diamond Bar, 2-0, in a Southern Section Division II quarterfinal game.

Mater Dei, seeded fourth, will play third-seeded Long Beach Wilson in a semifinal game Tuesday at Long Beach.

The Monarchs, ranked No. 4 in the Southern Section, controlled Friday’s game from the start.

Mater Dei (22-2-4) opened its scoring in the 15th minute of the first half, when Mike McCabe assisted on Kevin Quigley’s goal.

Mater Dei’s defense stymied Diamond Bar during the first half. Monarch goalkeeper Peter Van de Ven had to make only one save.

“I felt we controlled the half,” Mater Dei Coach Martin Stringer said. “We were able to put away our chance.”

The Brahmas (16-4-3) showed some life to start the second half, but Mater Dei quickly regained control.

Rudy Gomez scored 10 minutes into the half on a penalty kick. The penalty came after Diamond Bar goalkeeper Rick Cardoza took out Quigley, as the two collided racing for a ball to the left of the goal.

The Monarchs continued to control the game after the goal.

“Our fitness really showed today,” Stringer said. “We are a very durable and very much in shape.”

Stringer said Mater Dei’s home-field advantage was also a factor, as the Brahmas continually had trouble acclimating themselves to the the tricky Mater Dei field.

“They are a good team and are well-coached,” Stringer said. “It’s just that some teams have trouble playing here. (Diamond Bar) likes to play on the floor and this is a difficult field to do that on.”

Cardoza finished with 11 saves for Diamond Bar; Van de Ven had four for Mater Dei.