JSerra’s boys soccer team started play last week in the Trinity League. The Lions defeated St. John Bosco 2-1 on Friday in their league opener.
The Lions get a bigger test Wednesday when they face Servite in a league game at home at 5:30 p.m.
Servite beat Santa Margarita 2-0 in a Trinity League opener Friday at Santa Margarita.
Last season the Lions finished 20-0-1 and earned championships in the CIF-SS Open Division and CIF Southern California Regional Division I playoffs.
The Lions graduated several standout players from last season’s team, but Lions coach Erik Kirsch likes the potential of this season’s youngish group.
“We’ll play like JSerra soccer has always played,” Kirsch said. “You’ll see us moving the ball with a high level of skill. We’re a very organized and disciplined team.”
Kirsch said JSerra might not have an obvious star on its roster, but the talent is there.
Senior defender Alex Blair was All-Trinity League second team last season. Junior forward Aquiles Rodriguez contributed seven goals and three assists last year. Sophomore midfielder Carter Biondolillo shows signs of becoming a dominant player.
“We’ll throw them all into the popcorn machine,” Kirsch said, “and see what pops out.”
JSerra lost a home match for the first time in three seasons on Dec. 10 when the Lions were defeated by Santa Monica 4-2. Kirsch said that might turn out to be a good loss.
“We’re not focused on any loss,” he said. “We’re focused on growing the program.”
NOTES
Mater Dei won its Trinity League opener Friday, defeating visiting Orange Lutheran 2-1. Mater Dei, probably JSerra’s top challenger in league and maybe in the CIF Southern Section, plays at JSerra on Jan. 14. …
CIF State championships in boys and girls soccer will be held for the first time this season. The CIF State finals are March 12 and 13 at Natomas High School in Sacramento. The CIF Southern California Regional champions will face the CIF Northern California Regional champions. The CIF SoCal Regional playoffs are March 2-6. …
The CIF Southern Section uses computerized power rankings of teams to place the teams into playoff divisions at the end of the regular season. The first rankings will be released Thursday. They will be released two more times (Jan. 20 and Jan. 29) before the regular season ends Feb. 6. …
The boys soccer playoffs begin Feb. 11. …
Ayden Romo is not playing for Mater Dei this season. He was an All-Orange County first-team selection and All-CIF Southern Section Division 1 selection a year ago. This year he is playing in Portugal.