Thousand Oaks has one more giant step
The Thousand Oaks girls’ soccer team has developed a reputation as a giant-killer this week and is only one victory from an improbable run through the Southern California Regional playoffs.
The Lancers (21-4-3) have already toppled top-seeded Encinitas Torrey Pines and fourth-seeded San Clemente, ranked Nos. 1 and 3 in the nation, respectively, by StudentSportsSoccer.com.
Today they will face second-seeded Long Beach Wilson (27-1-5) in the Division I title match at 3:30 p.m. at Downey High.
The match is one of three girls’ finals being played at the school, while the boys’ regional finals are being held concurrently at Downey Warren.
Coach Geoff Raives, who guided the Lancers to the Southern Section Division II title -- the program’s first -- last Saturday, said he and his players have yet to fully appreciate what they’ve accomplished over the last seven days.
“It hasn’t hit us yet. It hasn’t hit me,” Raives said. “I know it’s a big deal, but we’re just trying to live the moment. No one really expected us to get this far.”
Thousand Oaks beat Torrey Pines, 1-0, in the quarterfinals, then San Clemente, 4-2 on penalty kicks, in the semifinals.
The third-year coach hasn’t had to motivate his players during regional play their opponents’ national rankings took care of that -- but the seniors are stressing the importance of ending the season on a winning note.
“All of them keep saying, ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,’ ” Raives said. “Because of the way our season went, it’s going to be real difficult to get back to this point.”
Especially so with the impending loss of goalkeeper Laura Brain, who has made 21 saves the last two games, and Cal State Northridge-bound defenders Nicole Cruz and Emily Geckle. All are seniors.
“We are not going to let them go without anything less than three championships,” Raives said of the seniors, who helped the team win the Marmonte League title.
Wilson, which also won its first section title, in Division I, last week and is ranked No 3 nationally, has five seniors who have accepted Division I scholarships.
“It is this simple,” Sheldon Shealer wrote Friday on StudentSportsSoccer.com. “If Long Beach Wilson wins Saturday . . . Wilson will take home the FAB 50 national title.”
Easier said than done? Just ask Torrey Pines or San Clemente.
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