Month: February 2016

Alias High Boys’ Soccer: 2016 Undefeated League Champions! What’s Next?

/ markcisneros / Leave a comment
Congratulations to the Alisal Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team for winning the 2015-2016 Gabilan League Championship. This is Alisal’s third title in the four-year existence of the re-aligned MBL Gabilan League, arguably the toughest league in the nation, from its inception in 2012. This year’s Gabilan Title marks the sixth championship in eight-years for the Trojans, a span that has seen them win 105 games.
 
However, as has been the standard for quite a long time at Alisal, the Trojans are reaching for an even more significant title: The California Central Coast Section (CCS) Open Division Championship! For the first time in the history of the CCS, the governing body has created an Open Division for this year’s playoffs, opening the door for a full-on California State Championship that could become a reality as soon as next year. With the San Joaquin Valley and other schools in the more remote parts of California switching their soccer seasons from fall to winter, California is now aligned from San Diego to Northern California, making it a bit easier to organize a legitimate state title.
 
CCS Background
 
In years past, the CCS has assigned divisions to each schools. These assigned divisions were based on school populations. For example, Bellarmine Prep, which has a student population of approximately 3600 students (all boys), and Alisal, which has a population of around 2600 students, co-ed, would be categorized as Division I schools. The CCS then turns to the medium sized schools like Archbishop Mitty, Harbor, and St. Frances, for example. These schools have smaller populations than do DI schools. Thus, they are placed in the Division II category. The smaller schools, like Palma, Pacific Grove, Carmel, and Soledad, to name a few, are put into the Division III category. When it’s all said and done, each school competes against schools that, more or less, have similar student populations.
 
But this year the CCS has decided to make things much more interesting. Now, eight schools, regardless of the size of their student population, can qualify to compete in the newly formed CCS Open Division, the highest division in this part of California. Entry in to the Open Division can be had in two ways: 1. Winning an “A” League championship 2. Having a high number of Power Points (earned by playing and beating A League teams)
 
As a result of their league championship, Alisal has automatically qualified for this year’s Open Division. The seedings for the Open Division playoffs will be revealed tomorrow. Because they are a high seed, Alisal is sure to host their first round match, which according to Prep2Prep.com, will be against Leigh High School. However, this is only an educated guess at this point, as the CCS will have their official seeding meeting tomorrow afternoon. First round games begin on Saturday, February 27, 2016. Stay tuned for more details.
 
Go, Trojans.

Alisal vs. Watsonville: Part II

/ markcisneros / Leave a comment

Alisal High School Trojans Senior Night

Salinas, Ca.

10 February 2016

Whether you love the game or not, there is no prerequisite for attending tomorrow’s soccer clash between Watsonville and Alisal. However, it does help if you have penchant for nail-biting excitement and heart-stopping soccer, and tomorrow’s game is sure to provide plenty of both…and then some. Couple all of this with the fact that tomorrow is Senior Night for the Trojans, and, all of a sudden, you’re finding yourself at the center of the hottest event in Salinas since the release of Star Wars.

With a week left in the season, the Trojans and Wildcats are locked in a virtual tie for first place. Alisal, counting Thursday’s contest, has two games left, and Watsonville, because of its bye week, has three games left. With games already played, Alisal is currently in sole possession of first place. A win tomorrow will create even more distance between the Trojans and the rest of the field, putting Alisal in prime position to win their third Gabilan League Championship. It would be the Trojans’ third title in the league’s four-year existence.

The Trojans made life difficult for the Wildcats during their visit to Watsonville. Alisal struck first to take a 1-0 lead, but Watsonville fought back to get the equalizer with twenty-four minutes left in the game. The match ended in a 1-1, draw, but Alisal sent an early message to the ‘Cats that life is a little different when the Trojans play at home.

Since their tie with Watsonville, the Trojans have gone on to win five games in a row, scoring fourteen goals in the process, while conceding only one. Meanwhile, the Wildcats, still reeling a bit after the tie with Alisal, were forced into another 1-1, draw with Alvarez two days later. Since their clash with Trojans, the Wildcats have won three games and tied two, scoring twelve goals and conceding four. The Trojans are peaking at just the right time and only getting stronger, while it seems opponents are pushing the Watsonville to their limit, forcing the ‘Cats to grind it out for points.

Alisal will look to continue their dominance over the ‘Cats. In the last eight-years, Alisal has proven to be the superior team (4-3-2), beating Watsonville four times, including the 2010 CCS DI Championship. Sprinkled in there are three ties and only two losses to the Wildcats. In all honesty, though, nothing of what took place last week or last month or last year has any bearing on tomorrow’s game. Both teams will be on high alert, looking to outwork and outplay each other, eager, too, in taking one step closer to the title.

The J.V. game kicks off at 4:00 p.m., while the varsity match begins at 5:45. If history repeats itself, we should see an large and vociferous Alisal contingency, but an equally robust supporters section for the Wildcats, too. Make sure to get to Kearny Stadium early for the best seats in the house. The Trojans’ snack shack will be in full swing, too. We look forward to seeing you on the pitch. Go, Trojans!