Surprise, Surprise: Crescenta Valley Advances in CIF Soccer Playoffs

Alex Berger scored a sneaky goal and the Crescenta Valley soccer team got an assist from the wind in a 1-0 shutout over Buchanan in Clovis in the first round of the CIF Southern California Regional Division 1 playoffs on Tuesday.

Berger scored on a free kick from 35 yards out, taking his shot while the Buchanan goalkeeper was setting up his wall to defend the play.

“He took the shot,” Crescenta Valley coach Grant Clark said. “It was good on his part to be aware. A sneaky goal? Sure it was. But it was within the rules. The rest of our guys were looking around asking, ‘Can he do that?’ It was just a great play.”

Berger’s goal in the 17th minute stood up for the rest of the game. Clark said the wind played a part in deciding the game as well. A steady 30 mph wind affected goal kicks and punts, changing the strategy each team used to advance the ball during the game.

Clark said his team might have scored another goal or two if not for the wind.

“Anything up in the air went 15 yards and then straight back down,” Clark said. “It was like playing at Candlestick Park.”

Nick Ruiz made seven saves in goal and recorded his 15th shutout of the season. It was his second shutout in a row and his third of the playoffs.

Ruiz, a converted football player, is in only his second year of soccer. Clark said Ruiz hasn’t played since AYSO, but he has made a difference in playoffs.

“He’s in a good spot right now,” Clark said. “Every hard shot, Nick was right there. He’s doing a great job.”

Crescenta Valley (22-0-6) plays top-seeded Millikan of Long Beach in the second round of the Division 1 Southern California Regional Thursday at 4 p.m.

Clark said Millikan is similar to El Rancho, the team Crescenta Valley beat in the championship game of the Southern Section Division 4 playoffs last week. The main difference between the two teams is that Millikan is bigger.

“We definitely have our hands full,” Clark said. “They’re very similar to El Rancho. They’re skilled on the ball and they’re very creative. It’s going to be an excellent test for us.”

CIF State Boys Basketball Playoffs

Mater Dei 66, Crescenta Valley 47: The Falcons made eight 3-pointers and shot an incredible 42 percent from 3-point territory, but lost to top-seeded Mater Dei in the first round of the CIF State boys basketball playoffs.

Crescenta Valley (26-6) made six 3-pointers in the third quarter and took a brief, two-point lead, 29-27. Mater Dei followed with an 8-0 run to take a 35-29 lead and went on to advance in the Southern California Regional.

“Teams that hit threes are going to stay close to teams,” Mater Dei coach Gary McKnight told ESPN Los Angeles. “They really shot the ball well. They executed their stuff too.”

Mater Dei (30-2) is the reigning CIF State Division I champion and won the Southern Section Division 1AA championship last week.

Xavier Johnson led Mater Dei in scoring with 25 points. He was 10-for-15 from the field and had 11 rebounds.

Cole Currie scored 13 points and made three 3-pointers to lead Crescenta Valley. Christian Misi was the only other player to score in double figures for Crescenta Valley with 11 points.

“I thought they made it a very good game,” McKnight said. “I watched them play Mission Viejo several times on tape. I knew we were going to be in trouble because you tell guys they can shoot the three, but they had three or four guys who can shoot the ball.”