CIFSDS Prep Boys Soccer Scores

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: February 20, 2025

CIF-SAN DIEGO SECTION BOYS SOCCER
Mon.-Thurs., Feb. 17-20

East County Sports.com

First Round

Monte Vista 2, Vista 1

VISTA – No matter how smart coaches may be, sometimes don’t always work out. But not in the case of the Monte Vista Monarchs.

After Grossmont Hills League coaches awarded the circuit’s top seed to Steele Canyon in snapping its deadlock fore first place with Monte Vista, things didn’t work out well for the Cougars.

However, everything turned out to be fantastic for the Monarchs.

Despite holding a higher seed, the Avocado League elexted an invitation to break-up its tie for the top spot by making Vista the “designated” champion over Canyon Crest, giving the Panthers an automatic home game in the first round of the playoffs.

No matter.

Monte Vista rallied with a pair of late goals by team captain Abdiel Espinoza Castillo, stopping host Vista 2-1, in Wednesday’s (Feb/ 19) Division 2 first-round contest at Dick Haines Memorial Stadium.

Meanwhile, Steele Canyon was awarded its own home game despite being the No. 9 seed, but visiting Bonita Vista (the No. 9 seed) took a 1-0 decision.

Game stuff

Following a scoreless opening half, Monte Vista trailed at the midway point of the second half on a Vista goal via penalty kick. But the final 20 minutes belonged to the Monarchs

In the 71st minute on a driven ball into the box from sophomore Daniel Baca, Espinoza Castillo tallied the equalizer.

Espinoza Castillo, this season’s GHL player of the yyear, finished with his left foot

Then with overtime looming, Espinoza Castillo surprised the Panthers fullbacks by not taking a shot, instead feeding the ball to fellow senior Anthony Lillo/

Lillo plucked the loose ball from the goalkeeper in the box, sending it back to Espinoza Castillo for his second consecutive game winner. He also scored the decisive goal to top Helix, 1-0, in the regular season finale to gain a share of the GHL championship.

More good news came from elsewhere in North County, as third-seeded Poway was stunned by No. 14 San Marcos, 3-1.

Thus, Monte Vista will host the Knights in the D-2 quarterfinals on Friday (Feb. 21) at 7 p.m.

Helix 3, Coronado 0

LA MESA – The Helix Highlanders leaps from off the mat after not winning the GHL crown by smashing Coronado, 3-0, to give Helix a sweep in Wednesday’s (Feb. 20) girls/boys CIF doubleheadser at Benton Hart Stadium.

The Scotties will next travel to No. 2 University City, which barely survivded in a shootout over La Jolla Country Day on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw.

Should Monte Vista and Helix both win, they would meet in next week’s CIF semifinals at Monarchs Stadium.

Scoreboard

OPEN DIVISION
Fri., Feb. 20 – Quarterfinals
(8) Torrey Pines at (1) Del Norte, moved to Friday, 5 p.m.
(5) Rancho Buena Vista at (4) San Pasqual, moved to Friday, 6 p.m.
(3) Oceanside (6) La Costa Canyon
(2) St. Augustine (7) San Diego HS

DIVISION 1
Wed., Feb. 19 – First Round
(8) Bonita Vista 1, at (9) Steele Canyon 0 (SC: designated league champion)
(12) Carlsbad 1, at (5) Westview 0
(11) San Dieguito 2, at (6) Cathedral Catholic 1
(7) Point Loma 3, (10) SD-Southwest 2

DIVISION 2
Wed., Feb. 19 – First Round
(1) Mission Hills 3, (16) Hoover 0
(8) San Ysidro 2, (9) Kearny 0
(5) Pacific Ridge 4, (12) Santana 0
(4) Rancho Buena Vista 3,(13) Sweetwater 2

(14) San Marcos 3, (3) Poway 1
(6) Monte Vista 2, at (11) Vista 1 (Vista home as league champ)
(7) Helix 3, (10) Coronado 0.
(15) LJCDS 1, at (2) University City 1 — IC wins on PKs

DIVISION 3
Wed., Feb. 19 – First Round
(1) EC-Central 6, (16) Francis W. Parker 0
(8) Granite Hills 3, (9) Brawley 1
(5) Canyon Crest 3, (12) Escondido Charter 2
(4) Mission Bay 4, (13) Preuss UCSD 0

(6) Orange Glen 4, (11) Chula Vista 0
(3) Patrick Henry 5, (14) Gompers Prep 0
(10) Otay Ranch 3, (7) Escondido 2
(2) Mater Dei Catholic 3, (15) Grossmont 0

DIVISION 4
Tue., Feb., 18 – First Round
(1) Canyon Hills 2, (16) El Cajon Valley 1
(8) La Jolla 3, (9) San Diego Jewish 1
(5) EC-Southwest 2, (12) Sage Creek 1
(4) Imperial 3, (13) Mira Mesa 1

(6) Valley Center 3, (11) Vincent Memorial 0
(3) West Hills 2, (14) Castle Park 0
(10 Madison 2, (7) at Del Lago 0
(2) Classical 4, (15) Holtville 1

Thurs., Feb. 20 – Quarterfinals
Canyon Hills 1, La Jolla 0
EC-Southwest 2, Imperial 1
West Hills 2, Valley Center 0
Classical 3, Madison 0

DIVISION 5
Monday’s Play-In
Coastal 1, Mar Vista 10

Wed., Feb. 19 – First Round
(8) NC-High Tech 2, (9) Mabel O’Farrell Charter 1
(8) Ramona 3, (9) Coastal 0
(6) Mountain Empire 1, (11) Mount Miguel 0
(7) Bayfront Charter 3m (10) Palo Verde Valley 0

DIVISION 5-AA
Tue., Feb., 18 – First Round
(8) West Shores 5, (9) Bonsall 2
(5) Calvin Christian 10, (12) Cristo Rey 0
(6) Logan Memorial 8, (11) Calipatria 2
(10) Borrego Springs 5, at (7) Liberty Charter 2

Thurs., Feb. 20 – Quarterfinals
(8) West Shores 1, (1) CV-Victory Christian 0
(5) Calvin Christian 3, (4) Ocean View Christian 1
(3) CV-LCC 2, Logan Memorial 2 – CV-LCC wins on Pks
(2) St. Joseph 4, Borrego Springs 1