The Culver City boys’ varsity soccer team played Saugus in the second round of the CIF playoffs last Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Saugus high school after the Culver City News deadline. For results of that game please contact Culver City high school.
During the Centaurs CIF Division 4 first round 2-0 win over Lompoc last Saturday at Culver City they continued to show why they have are 20-6 overall and 9-1 in the Ocean league. Their outstanding record can be summed up in one word, defense.
Their 2-0 victory over Lompoc was their 12th shutout of the season. “It was a nice win,” said Sho Gibbs after the win over Lompoc. “We kept the shutout going. Our defense is what helped us win the Ocean league. Overall it was nice performance by our team.”
The battle between the Centaurs and the 14-6-4 Centurions last Wednesday was probably a hard fought defensive battle. Culver City has outscored their opponents 56 to 20 and 21-4 in league play. Saugus, who finished second in the Foothill league outscored their opponents 60 to 28 and 26-8 in league play.
To beat Saugus Culver City had to stop their senior captain James Johnson. Johnson has attempted 99 shots, 64 of them have been shots on goal and he has scored 24 goals for an amazing 37.5% accuracy in score to shot ratio. Culver City is ranked fifth in CIF Division 4 and Saugus is ranked 13th.
If the Centaurs can continue to play at a high level like they did against Lompoc they will advance to the third round of the CIF playoffs first the first time in over 10 years. “It was a great game and we played against a great team,” said Centaur player Ruben Soria. “ We played like a family and that was fun to see. We also played with composure and that really helps.”
Culver City head coach Louie Espeleta was also impressed with Lompoc. “That was a tough game. They have several outstanding players. We were fortunate to come out with a win. I am happy we won our first round game. Culver City boys’ soccer is no longer one and done in the CIF playoffs.”
Espeleta ultimate goal is to win a CIF Championship. “I want to get championship rings for this team. Our objective is to get these boys rings. We just need to keep the streak going.”
The girls’ basketball team loss their first round playoff game 57-46 to Arroyo Grande. The girls’ soccer team loss their first round game 5-4 against Marymount and the girls’ water polo team loss their first round playoff game to Xavier Prep 12-3.
The Centaur baseball team will play their second game of the season when they travel to Taft high school in Woodland Hills on Saturday at 11 a.m., and the girls softball team will battle Palisades next Tuesday on the Culver City campus at 3:15 p.m.