Orange Lutheran, Servite face off in DI final

Before last season's surprising run to the CIF Southern Section Division IV final, Orange Lutheran had won 10 of 103 matches over the previous five seasons. So winning 20 matches, finishing fourth in the brutal Trinity League and winning a section title was a pretty big deal.   And for an encore, the Lancers finished fourth again in the well-regarded and likely strongest league in the state, played what was one of the toughest schedules in the state, and was selected as one of two at-large teams for the DI playoffs.   To go from 10 wins in five years, to Division IV champs and leap to Division I is not short of remarkable.   "When we got moved from Division IV to Division I, I was pleasantly surprised," Orange Lutheran coach Mike Oseguera said. "I thought DIII, maybe DII. I didn't think we'd get moved that high."   The Lancers playing in the Trinity League has them facing Division I teams consistently, and they also played in the SoCal College Showcase, which had top teams from around the state.   "Our league is a DI league so we play teams like that all the time," Oseguera said. "But I didn't know if we were there yet."   The Lancers ran out of gas a little bit at the end of the season, losing 2-0 to Servite and 2-0 to St. John Bosco, and had they won those matches, might have ended up in the Open Division. And after wondering if that would cost them their chance, they were still rewarded for their fine season.   Orange Lutheran beat the No. 1 seed in Sunny Hills in the first round of the Southern Section playoffs, jumping on them early and never looking back. Then beat Hart, Oak Park and Harvard-Westlake by 2-1 scores, each time scoring the game-winning goal late.   Jimu Lee scored the winner against Hart in overtime on a flick on by Alex Vasquez, who scored the first goal. Vasquez also had the game-winner against Oak Park in overtime as well. Against Harvard-Westlake, Hector Arellanes drew a penalty with less than five minutes left and Xavier Alcantar stepped up and drilled it home.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/Hector-Arellanes.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-163803" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Bruno De Witt Zanotto, @bzfilms83</figcaption></figure>   "Every round we have had to beat league champs, but you have to beat the best to get to this level," Oseguera said. "Fortune has gone our way, but we are working hard to make these opportunities."   Servite has taken a different route here from a micro and a macro perspective. From the short term view, Servite is a program that always expects to be in contention, competing for DI titles, if not Open titles. From a macro view, they have a very different track record, having been a top program for quite some time. Over the last 11 seasons, Servite has four section titles, including the treble, a league, section and state title in 2022. The Friars have gone 193-46-35 in that span.   "We are a program that is used to winning," Servite coach Eddie Soto said. "We set our standards high every year. We are really happy and excited to be here and we are going to be ready. It's going to be a good game and they are a great team. It is going to be a battle because we know each other's strengths and weaknesses. It's going to come down to who wants it more."   Servite won eight of its first nine matches, and 10 of its first 12, but hit a little lull in the middle of the season. The Friars had two draws and two losses in a four-game stretch in mid-January, but bounced back to go 3-1 in their last four, including a win over Orange Lutheran. The only loss was to JSerra Catholic, which finished second in the league and made the Open Division. Servite was the first team out when the eight-team Open bracket was made, and a draw or win against JSerra would have got them in, but the Friars are here and very happy about it.   "We started scoring goals again and that takes off a lot of pressure," Soto said. "I am huge on giving opportunities to young guys and some young guys stepped up. And with a lot of depth managing our roster has been very important. Keeping the guys bought in when they are not playing and are hungry for playing time, when it is easy to jump off the bus, has been a big part of how we got here and it is a credit to them for staying engaged."   With two talented team, their key players will have to step up and here are 10 players, five from each team, to watch for.   Xavier Alcantar, Central Midfielder, Orange Lutheran, Class of 2024   Alcantar is the engine in the midfield and he does all the little things right. He is the glue that connects the offense with the defense as he is a true box-to-box center mid. He can score, he makes challenges and gets to the second ball regularly.   Mateo Ambriz, Central Defender, Orange Lutheran, Class of 2024   Ambriz is a very, very reliable center back. He gets nicked but will always play through it and be ready to go the next time. He is as consistent as they come.   Hector Arellanes, Forward, Orange Lutheran, Class of 2024   Arellanes is always putting defenders under pressure as he can pressure them with the dribble or with a well-timed run. He has a great shot and is simply dangerous all the time. He will always find a way to score or impact the game.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/02/Justin-Cuevas-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-163802" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Servite High School</figcaption></figure>   Justin Cuevas, Forward, Servite, Class of 2024   Cuevas is Mr. Consistent for the Friars, scoring 18 goals and handing out 11 assists. He is a constant threat to score goals as he can run at defenders with pace, and can score from anywhere, using either foot and can get behind the lines and use his head as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='8274' first='Mattias' last='Kremer'], Midfielder, Servite, Class of 2025   Kremer is the lone junior on this list and there is a reason that he is being recruited to attend West Point. He is industrious. He is hard-working and puts in an honest shift every time it. He does his job, whatever is asked of him, and does it well without complaint.   Nicholas Menvielle, Defender, Servite, Class of 2024   Menvielle is a quiet, but tough defender who plays with great confidence. He's incredibly reliable and he gets very excited at the chance to make a tackle. He loves to do the dirty work.   Talin Morgan, Keeper, Servite, Class of 2024   Morgan is a 6-5 keeper with a bunch of talent. He is playing at UC Davis next season, and is learning to command his box and dominate his area. By learning those skills now, he will be prepared for playing at the NCAA level. He is a keeper who is hard to beat as he is a good shot stopper.   [player_tooltip player_id='8374' first='Nicholas' last='Nodarse'], Midfielder, Servite, Class of 2024   Nodarse is a true warrior. He's a versatile midfielder who can play all over and he's a great guy to have on the pitch because he never stops working. He's very dependable and remains disciplined.   [player_tooltip player_id='7573' first='Ethan' last='Phillips'], Attacking Midfielder, Orange Lutheran, Class of 2024   Phillips is a Swiss army knife for the Lancers. He plays a lot as the No. 10, but can play out wide or play other midfield positions. He goes where he is needed based on the game strategy. He's a captain, a leader and helps this group remain a cohesive one.   Alex Vasquez, Central Defender, Orange Lutheran, Class of 2024   Vasquez is Ambriz's opposite, not just as he is the other center back, but in style. He is a very skilled soccer player with great technical skills, ability and has great speed. He likes to possess as he is calm on the ball, and likes to help get forward and make big plays.

Before last season's surprising run to the CIF Southern Section Division IV final, Orange Lutheran had won 10 of 103 matches over the previous five seasons. So winning 20 matches, finishing fourth in the brutal Trinity League and winning a section title was a pretty big deal.