Bigger Means Better, Easier Road in This Season’s Playoff Journey

The verdict is in. Division II is stronger than Division I in girls’ soccer this season.

After the Southern Section ruled that teams can no longer move up divisions by petition, some of the best teams in the section stayed in Division II, making it the strongest Division from top to bottom. Just ask some of the Division I coaches.

“Hey, it gives me a better shot at the title,” laughed Aliso Niguel Coach Randy Dodge, whose team plays in Division I. “The only teams [Capistrano Valley] and I are worried about now is each other.”

Marina and San Clemente, both previously ranked in the county’s top 10, joined Mission Viejo, Woodbridge, Edison and Sunny Hills in Division II this year. Claremont, which lost in the Division I final to Capistrano Valley last season, Walnut and Crescenta Valley are also former Division I teams ranked among the Division II’s best.

“I think it’s fair,” Dodge said. “It should be based on enrollment. There are a lot of schools that should have a chance to win that can’t when teams move up.”

DON’T MISS THE BUS

The county’s best girls’ soccer rivalry resumes Thursday when No. 2 Mission Viejo travels across town to No .1 Capistrano Valley, and the team with the stronger bench may have the advantage.

Several of the top players from both teams may have to leave the game early in order to catch a bus that evening for Las Vegas and the Olympic Development Region 4 tournament. Capistrano Valley’s Ashley Casas, Kristen Moore, Alison Vislay and Staci Sinkway and Mission Viejo’s Kendal Billingsley, Ann Astyk and Katie Wright are among the players expected to compete in this weekend’s three-day tournament that includes players born in 1983, ’84 and ‘85, The teams will compete against the best teams from the western United States, with the winner advancing to the National Championship in March.

Capistrano Valley Coach Jack Peterson said he and Mission Viejo Coach Susie Daher agreed to begin the game 15 minutes early, at 3 p.m., which should give the girls plenty of time to catch a 5:30 p.m. bus in La Habra.

The Cougars (8-1-2) are trying to win their fifth consecutive South Coast League title. The Diablos (7-1-3) are coming off an impressive run through the Excalibur tournament, with five straight victories and their first tournament title.

LOOKING AHEAD

In the Century League, El Modena and first-year Coach Eron Campuzano will play today at Canyon. A victory by the Vanguards gives them the edge in the league race, after Canyon tied Foothill last week.

Also today in the Empire League, Cypress plays at El Dorado, the defending league champion. Cypress was forced to forfeit a game last season, costing it the league title. Throw Loara into the mix and this year’s title is up for grabs.

If you have an item or idea for the girls’ soccer notebook, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at melanie.neff@latimes.com

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GIRLS’ SOCCER TOP 10

Orange County Sportswriters’ Poll

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Pos. School (League) Rec 1. Capistrano Valley (S. Coast) 8-1-2 2. Mission Viejo (S. Coast) 7-1-3 3. Santa Margarita (Serra) 10-2-1 4. Woodbridge (Sea View) 8-1-3 5. Aliso Niguel (Sea View) 13-1-1 6. Corona del Mar (Pac. Coast) 14-1-2 7. Esperanza (Sunset) 6-1-4 8. Edison (Sunset) 11-1-3 9. Sunny Hills (Freeway) 13-0-1 10. El Toro (South Coast) 10-4-1

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