Grayson Doody leads Loyola into Division 1 soccer semifinals

It’s getting into crunch time for the soccer playoffs, so it makes perfect sense for Loyola High to turn loose its best player, UCLA-bound Grayson Doody.

Sure enough, Doody delivered on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs. He scored a goal to power the Cubs to a 3-0 victory over Santa Ana.

The most spectacular goal was scored by William Valentine on a head shot off a corner kick. He used his head to put the ball into the net after a 1-0 halftime lead. Loyola will face Mission Viejo in the semifinals on Saturday. Mission Viejo defeated JSerra 2-1 in overtime.

Cathedral advanced to the semifinals with a 1-0 road victory over Santa Barbara. Diego Barahona scored in the 28th minute. The Phantoms will face Servite, a 3-1 winner over Irvine University. Jesus Melgoza, Lex Leathem and Kevin Sanchez scored goals in Servite’s win.