Hillers toss Helix, Sultans need O.T.

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: February 13, 2024

2023-24 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS SOCCER
CIF-San Diego Section Championships

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior writer

LA MESA – he new structure of leagues based on power ratings, the annual clash between Grossmont and Helix high schools is no longer a guarantee.

“Oh, we played at the beginning of the year,” saids Grossmont goalie Oscar Minez. “But it didn’t mean anything — it was a non-league game.”

Officials at the CIF San Diego Section office must syurely have notices the discrepancy, pairing the ancient rivals in Tueday’s (Feb. 13) opening round of the Division III boys soccer championships.

GThe congtest also featured the biggest upset on the first day of the postseason tournament.

Although high emotions led to 30 opening minutes of just extremely poor soccer and a 2-2 tie, the final 50 minutes were what everyone expected to Grossmont’s 3-2 victory at Benton Hart Stadium.

Sophomore forward Kenny Law broke the deadlock with a goal in the 26th minute. Niubetz then registered nine saves after gaining the lead, but only onw ore two were challenging as the Foothillers packed in their defense.

“We were running our lanes and taking the ball forward,” noted Minetz. :It was fun to play a game that meant something against our rivals.”

Law then took a long shot from just outside the right wing of the penalty box, yet found the lower left corner for waht roved t be the game-winning goal.

“After that, we just fought to keep the ball out of our zone,” noted Law. “It was a oretty big win for us.”

How big?

AMong the 12 teams competing in the divisdion, the top four received byes, with Helix just missing a top slot and were placed N. 5 in the division.

However, Grossmont barely made postseason play as the No. 12 seed, this creating the biggest possible upset,

The win snapped the school’s 7-game non-winnign streaks (0-5-2), putting together their best defensive show in the second half since a 1-0 blanking of Valhalla on Jan. 16 — yes, it’s been nearly one month since Grossmont’s last victory.

The Hillers (6-10-4 overall) advance to meet 4th-seeded Pacific Ridge in Friday’s quarterfinals. The game time was been changed to 3 p.m.

In other scores in the upper quadrant of the division, top-seeded and Grossmont Hills League champion Monte Vsta gained a bye.

The Monarchs will play at 5 p.m. Friday against the late winner between Santana and Patrick Henry, with the Sultans also posting an upsey in a 4-3 overtime verduct over the host Patriots.

Scpring

Grossmont needed just five minutes to score on a shot by Parker Vanderburghm then an 11th minujte tally by Temo Chavez made it 2-0.

Helix immediatelystormed back when Nan Hernandez (24′) and Alez Aguilar (26′) found the net for the perfect Grossmont Valley League titlists (8-0-0).

After Wall scoored, Helix almost tied the score again, but a shot from the left suice smacked the center of the crossbar during added time just before halftime.

The Scotties finish the season at 14-2-3, with the only other setback coming in the third game of the season to University City.

Elsewhere

SANTANA 4, PATRICK HENRY 3 (OT) –– Santana, upset not gaining a home game as the No. 9 seed, went to No. 8 Patrick Henry and upset the City League runner-ups with a goal in overtime.

Santana, which guaranteed a non-losing record with the triumph (now 9-8-3) next faces top-seeded Monte Vista in the quarterfinals, slated for Monarch Stadium on Friday at 5 p.m.

No other information was reported.