Again, not a fan of how CIF structured the Open Division with a crossover. I think CIF blew the seeding to begin with but that’s another topic.
Just doesn’t sit right that Mira Costa and Oaks both finished 3rd in their 4-team pools and now they get another shot to stay alive.
And then if JSerra and Santa Margarita win their crossovers, they get another bite at the apple against Newport and Corona Del Mar, teams they lost to days ago.
Feels like an elementary school kick ball game where nobody gets out.
Regarding Santa Margarita vs. Oaks Christian on Saturday – the game has been moved back to 5:30 p.m. The other game, JSerra vs. Mira Costa, is still scheduled for 2 p.m.
Mira Costa 14, JSerra 13 in Sudden Death:
MC 3-4-3-2-0-1-1. F: 14
JS 4-2-3-3-1-0-0. F-:13
I must say, it was a little bit of a classic. Six lead changes. No lead greater than two goals. Mira Costa missed three 5-meter plenty shots and lost all seven sprints – and still won their road game. Mira Costa plays Newport Harbor in the semi-finals.
I don’t know who the player was but, yes, Mira Costa won the game on a 6-on-5 situation, 43 seconds into Sudden Death (after a turnover in JSerra’s initial possession).
Mira Costa almost won the game in regulation, but JSerra scored using a 7-on-6 offense with just 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
I’m curious, what made the seeding seem flawed? I thought the play-in structure had some issues, but I’m not sure if the seeding was off. My main concern with the seeding was that Loyola should have been in the top 8 instead of Laguna.
I’ll stand on my earlier statement that 2-6 could beat each other at any time. I was never sold on Wilson or Laguna.
There were 6 games between seeds 2-6. The lower seed won 4 of those games. Santa Margarita beat Mira Costa by 1 and CDM beat Mira Costa by 5 in the 2 wins by the higher seeds. 4 of the 6 games were decided by 1 or 2 goals.
The format rewarded teams that were able to win on the days that it actually mattered (by luck or by skill).
Mira Costa had their starting goalie (Grant Anderson - San Jose State) in for the first half, and then went to their junior Cooper Agens for second half and OT. Incredible goalie depth.
I agree 2 thru 6 was too close to call. Oaks - CDM will be a great SEMI battle and Oaks will need to stop CDM shooters while dropping on set and play a perfect game to reach the finals!