After loss, Flintridge Prep boys’ soccer begins waiting game

GLENDALE — It’s going to be a long wait to see what the fate will be for the members of the Flintridge Prep boys’ soccer team in regard to where they will finish in the Prep League and if they are to qualify for the playoffs.

The Rebels had once occupied first place in league, but their bid to win league fell by the wayside Friday after the Rebels yielded a pair of second-half goals en route to a 2-0 league home loss against Chadwick at the Glendale Sports Complex.

“We’ve gone from first place to not knowing where we will finish,” said Flintridge Prep Coach AJ Yates, whose team concluded the regular season portion of its schedule. “We’ve found out that it’s tough to have two league losses.

“All we can do now is take a couple of days to relax and get healthy and see what will happen.”

Flintridge Prep, ranked 10th in the latest CIF Southern Section Division VI poll with Arroyo Valley and Sage Hill, dropped to 11-5-3, 3-2-3 in league for nine points. Chadwick, which won the league championship last season, got second-half goals from Juan Valle and Kevin Ulman to improve to 7-2-4, 3-1-3 for nine points. Pasadena Poly and Webb battled to a scoreless tie on Friday, giving Pasadena Poly 10 points and Webb eight. Pasadena Poly and Chadwick will meet Tuesday at Chadwick to decide the league championship, while Webb will face Rio Hondo Prep on Tuesday.

The top three teams from league automatically qualify for the playoffs with the fourth-place team likely to make a bid for a wild-card berth. The CIF Southern Section pairings for all six divisions will be announced Feb. 17.

Thus, the wait begins for the Rebels.

“Hopefully, we can come back and play some more,” said Yates, whose team played without midfielder Tim Bates (concussion) and forward Cole Rademacher (leg). “Maybe we will get a wild card or third place or maybe even second place.

“Things will end up the way they are supposed to be.”

Flintridge Prep started out strong against Chadwick, generating a couple of good scoring chances in the first half.

John Treinen of the Rebels lined a shot over the crossbar in the seventh minute. Flintridge Prep’s Ari Baranian then directed a shot just wide of the left post off a nice cross from Treinen in the 19th minute.

The Dolphins, who advanced to the semifinals last season, took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Valle in the 48th minute off an assist from Ulman.

Chadwick received an insurance goal from Ulman (assisted by Cameron Barlett) in the 55th minute.

“After the first goal, we lost our composure a little bit,” Baranian said. “It shocked us.

“Then they scored that second goal quickly. We now have to wait to see where we stand.”

Chadwick Coach Sal Diaz said the Dolphins’ experience played a role in turning back the Rebels.

“It was an intense game and I think experience played a big role,” said Diaz, whose team finished in a 2-2 tie against the Rebels in the first matchup at Chadwick on Jan. 22. “It’s a group that got to the semis last year and they used their experience to get us through this game.

“Now, we give ourselves a shot to win league.”

Flintridge Prep goalkeeper Hamilton Evans and Chadwick goalkeeper Sam Sheridan finished with eight and six saves, respectively.