The Ocean League soccer title is up for grabs among Culver City, Santa Monica and Hawthorne, all 6-1-1, and they will face off in the two games remaining in the regular season.
“At this point of the season, the best team doesn’t necessarily always win. It comes down to which team is the hottest,” AYSO Commissioner Dave Wulf said.
“Culver has the talent and a deep bench. They just need to continue to play inspired soccer, and they can make this a memorable season,” Wulf said, who is familiar with many of the Centaur players, because they played AYSO soccer.
This is unfamiliar territory for the young Centaur team which hasn’t won an Ocean League title since 2004 and has a record of 1-5 in its six CIF playoff games since 1998. The Centaurs defy the odds each game, according to Max- Preps team ranking. Hawthorne is ranked No. 33, Santa Monica No. 56 and Culver City is at No. 296 among California high schools. “We use these rankings as motivation”, says Junior Nico Melendez, “We feel we can compete with anyone when we play as a team.”
The Centaurs played at home, Tuesday, on “Senior Night” against Hawthorne. Centaurs travel to Beverly Hills, today, 6 p.m., to play the Normans in the season finale. Santa Monica plays tonight at Hawthorne.
After suffering a 3-1 loss to Santa Monica, last Wednesday, the Centaurs returned home to Jerry Chabola Field, last Friday, and edged an inspired Inglewood team, 1-0. After a lack-luster opening half, junior midfielder Rene Collazos scored in the opening minutes of the second half on a beautiful assist from senior midfielder, Diego Tinoco. The Centaur defense led by junior Tommy De La Torre, sophomore Abel “Lucas” Lezcano , and seniors Alexis Castillo, Geovany Silizar and goalkeeper Brian Gutierrez held Inglewood’s offense in-check.