Heavyweights clash in DI SoCal semifinals

There are no bad teams in the Southern California State playoff brackets, and the further you advance, the stiffer the competition gets. Thursday marks the semifinals in the SoCal brackets, and the Division I boys matchups in particular are very intriguing, featuring four of the very best teams in the State.   No. 1 JSerra Catholic v. No. 4 San Dieguito Academy   The top-seeded Lions have staked their claim to being the top team in the State. Aside from a close contest with Montclair in the Southern Section Division I playoffs, they have been on a roll, recently beating Ridgeview-Bakersfield 7-0 in the first round of the State bracket.   "We're in a good place right now, but let's see what happens if we get punched in the mouth," JSerra coach Erik Kirsch said. "San Deiguito is built like us, so it's going to be an interesting matchup. When you play a team that's just like yourself it comes down to who wants it more and who plays better on that day."   The two teams are very similar in that they have strong No. 9's, they like to build out of the back, they high press, they have speed on the outside flanks and they have a very tough backline.   "This is going to be a typical semifinal game with two giants," Kirsch said. "You've got to get pretty far into the season to get a game like this."   For JSerra, [player_tooltip player_id='41549' first='Reagan' last='Heslin'] has been a force up top. It's not just the 12 goals, it's the leadership he brings and his composure as a striker. [player_tooltip player_id='33306' first='Gavin' last='Allegaert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='79211' first='Jake' last='Tatch'] have been forces on the outside, scoring a combined 23 goals, giving them 35 total from those three alone.   [player_tooltip player_id='8056' first='Keenai' last='Braun'] has been a force for the JSerra defense, which only allowed 13 goals all season. He was named the Trinity League MVP. He also scored five goals and had six assists from the center back position. He's joined by sophomore Tanner Casey who is a 6-2 presence in the back. Keeper Noah Nesson has been very solid this season as well.   No. 2 St. Augustine v. No. 3 Birmingham   Since losing to Brophy Prep at the end of December 30th at the SoCal College Showcase, the Saints have rattled off 12 wins in 13 matches, including a win over San Dieguito in the San Diego Section's Open Division title match. This team has improved greatly.   "We are definitely a different team than we were at the Showcase," St. Augustine coach Brendan Johnston said. "During this run through these playoffs we have been strong defensively, we are pretty skillful in the midfield and we have a strong striker."   That striker is Alex Brambila who has been a force up top. He's been joined in the attack by No. 10 Alonso Somohano who has been incredible in pairing with [player_tooltip player_id='7711' first='Iain' last='Wagner'], who plays the No. 8 and scored 16 goals to go with 17 assists, winning the Western League's MVP award.   The center back pairing of Cesar Leal and Jack Elgas has been hard-working and blue collar while Dylan Kelly has been a do-it-all player for the Saints.   Birmingham will be a formidable foe for the Saints in the battle to make the State finals.   "They are a very talented, super disciplined and super skillful team," Johnston said. "It should be a good game and I'm looking forward to it."   Birmingham stormed through the LA City Section playoffs, winning the Section title in Division I while outscoring opponents 20-2 along the way. Birmingham hasn't lost a match since December, drawing twice since then and winning 17 matches.   The Patriots shook off a relatively slow start to really find their stride and solidarity has been a huge reason for that.   "A huge factor is that we have really come together as a team," Birmingham coach E.B. Madha said. "Now they really work for each other. We've always had talent, but now they are working for one another and have become unified."   The team had some transfers and some young players move into the varsity ranks, and bonding took a little while, but the team got there.   Birmingham will have to overcome injuries to four key players and different dimensions from the pitch they are used to in order to move on. But regardless of injuries, or anything related to the pitch, they are going to have to be a cohesive unit to leave San Diego with a win.   "Defensively we need to be more focused and disciplined and not give away corners and throws. We've got to keep the ball in play," Madha said. "If those four players can give us one good half and if we can operate well in small spaces then I think we will be okay."   Birmingham, the only public school left in the bracket, will need four seniors to step up. [player_tooltip player_id='7436' first='Diego' last='Ceja'] in the midfield will need to play well and help facilitate to three great forward in Anthony Macedo, [player_tooltip player_id='39350' first='Jerry' last='Ramos'] and Oscar Vargas.

There are no bad teams in the Southern California State playoff brackets, and the further you advance, the stiffer the competition gets. Thursday marks the semifinals in the SoCal brackets, and the Division I boys matchups in particular are very intriguing, featuring four of the very best teams in the State.