On a brisk Saturday in late February, high school soccer teams across Southern California engaged in a series of thrilling semifinal clashes, determining which contenders would advance to the championship rounds. The atmosphere was charged with competitive spirit as both boys' and girls' teams vied for supremacy in their respective divisions, culminating in an array of decisive victories and nail-biting shootout finishes.
Southern Section Soccer Semifinals: A Day of High Stakes and Triumphs
The Southern Section's high school soccer playoffs reached a fever pitch on Saturday, February 22, 2026, with the semifinal matches delivering intense competition and unexpected turns. Teams from various divisions, spanning from Open to Division 8, battled it out on pitches across the region, showcasing their skill, strategy, and sheer determination.
In the highly anticipated Open Division for boys, #8 Orange Lutheran secured their spot in the finals by overcoming #4 Placentia Valencia with a 3-1 aggregate victory. Following suit, #2 Mater Dei triumphed over #6 JSerra with a 2-0 aggregate, setting the stage for an exciting championship match on February 28th.
Division 1 saw Santa Monica emerge victorious against Anaheim Canyon with a clean 2-0 win, while Fontana edged out Sultana 2-1. In Division 2, Newport Harbor defeated Downey 2-1, and Bishop Amat dominated Citrus Hill with a commanding 4-0 scoreline. Los Alamitos claimed a narrow 3-2 victory over Godinez in Division 3, and Calabasas secured a 1-0 win against Channel Islands.
The Division 4 matches featured Granite Hills' 3-0 shutout of Indian Springs and Irvine University's tight 1-0 win over Oxnard Pacifica. Santa Ana Valley defeated San Marcos 2-1 in Division 5, while Esperanza beat Camarillo by the same margin. Animo Leadership topped Bishop Montgomery 1-0 in Division 6, and Ontario Christian advanced with a 2-1 win over Vista del Lago.
Dramatic shootouts decided two Division 7 contests: Pasadena Poly bested Cerritos 4-3 after a 1-1 draw, and Palmdale Academy Charter (PAC) defeated Oakwood 5-4 following a scoreless match. In Division 8, Orange County Pacifica Christian narrowly beat San Jacinto Leadership 1-0. Rio Hondo Prep also advanced via a shootout, winning 4-3 against Thacher after a 2-2 tie. The finals for Divisions 1-8 are slated for February 27th or 28th.
The girls' semifinals also provided ample drama. In the Open Division, #1 Santa Margarita advanced over #4 Oaks Christian, and #3 Mater Dei progressed past #2 Redondo Union, both decided by aggregate scores after 1-1 and 0-0 draws respectively. Their championship battle is set for February 28th.
Newport Harbor secured a 1-0 victory against Westlake in Division 1, while Eastvale Roosevelt dominated Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 4-1. Ayala triumphed over San Marino 3-0 in Division 2, and Millikan achieved a 1-0 win against Bonita. Crescenta Valley defeated Paloma Valley 2-0 in Division 3, and Quartz Hill beat Simi Valley by the same score.
Division 4 saw San Jacinto win 3-2 against Arcadia, and Immaculate Heart prevailed over Chino in a shootout after a 0-0 draw. Coachella Valley took a high-scoring match against Artesia 4-3 in Division 5, and Del Sol won a shootout against Sultana 6-5 following a 1-1 tie. Ocean View defeated Palmdale Aerospace 1-0 in Division 6, and Segerstrom bested Grace 3-1.
In Division 7, Santa Monica Pacifica Christian won a shootout against Savanna after a goalless draw, and Azusa defeated Cate 2-1. Buckley beat Mountain View 2-1 in Division 8, and Webb secured a 2-1 victory over Big Bear. These girls' division finals are also scheduled for February 27th or 28th.
The culmination of these semifinal matches highlights the incredible talent and competitive spirit present in Southern California's high school soccer programs. The upcoming finals promise to be captivating contests, as these dedicated young athletes vie for the ultimate title, demonstrating the enduring passion for the sport within the community. These games not only serve as a platform for athletic excellence but also foster camaraderie and sportsmanship among the participants.