Confusion Surrounds This Battle

For fans interested in watching the Southern Section Division I semifinal between second-seeded Capistrano Valley and third-seeded Aliso Niguel, the game has been rescheduled to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Aliso Niguel High.

Tentatively.

Aliso Niguel Coach Randy Dodge and Capistrano Valley Coach Jack Peterson agreed to postpone the game, originally scheduled for today, because the soccer field at Aliso Niguel is basically under water.

However, Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons says that’s not a good enough reason and, as of Monday afternoon, the section wasn’t allowing any playoff games to be postponed.

“I think some of these coaches have forgotten who runs the playoffs,” Simmons said. “The CIF Southern Section does. If a field is under water, then they can find an alternate field that isn’t.”

However, Simmons said all final decisions will be made this morning upon the return of Assistant Commissioner Karen Hellyer, who was sick on Monday.

According to Dodge, the only concern voiced by section Commissioner James Staunton when he spoke to him Monday, was with the publication of the championship program. Staunton said if teams postponed their games, the winners would not have their team picture in the program. But Dodge doesn’t want to see both teams disqualified.

For more information about game time and site, call Aliso Niguel High at (949) 831-5590 or the Southern Section office at (562) 860-2414.

DE-FENSE

Edison will have a chance to showcase its defense against the high-powered offense of Mission Viejo in a Division II semifinal at 3 today at Edison High.

Charger defenders Katie Shield, Ashley Rouintree, Nicole Harrison and Vanessa Crowell, along with the goalkeeping tandem of Ali Binder and Jenna Huff, have posted 19 shutouts this season and are riding a 24-game unbeaten streak.

The only goal Edison (22-1-5) has given up in the playoffs was during its 2-1 upset of fourth-seeded Claremont on Thursday. In Sunset League play, the Chargers gave up only one goal, a penalty kick by Esperanza.

Top-seeded Mission Viejo (16-1-7) is led by leading scorer Kendal Billingsley (18 goals). The Diablos, the South Coast League champions, have outscored their opponents 19-1 in the playoffs and are looking for their first section title since 1998.

ON A RUN

In the other Division II semifinal, El Dorado (17-8-3) hopes for its third upset of the playoffs as it hosts second-seeded Ventura Buena (26-2-1), which has a 23-game unbeaten streak. El Dorado goalkeeper Tawnya Patino has helped hold playoff opponents to three goals.