HS: Winter state, region rankings, Feb. 29

by Sheldon Shealer

February 29, 2016

The top two girls teams in California saw their undefeated seasons end in playoff overtime losses, while a Hawaii boys power added to its legacy in a wild week of high school soccer.

BOYS

Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii) capped an undefeated season with a 2-0 win over Kapolei (Hawaii) in the Division I state final, marking the program's 19th state crown. The win secures a No. 1 state ranking and No. 2 West Region ranking for the 13-0-3 Buff 'n Blue.

In California, perennial powers Paramount (Calif.) and Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) suffered early ends to their seasons with CIF Southern Section Division I playoff losses last week. Meanwhile, Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.) secured a CIF Southern Regional playoff spot with a victory in the CIF Central Section Division I tournament.

GIRLS

Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) and Carondelet (Concord, Calif.) were very much in the national No. 1 race until losing heartbreaking, overtime contests last week -- ending a pair undefeated seasons.

Aliso Niguel was the No. 1 seed in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 tournament, ranked No. 1 in the state and region by TopDrawerSoccer and held a No. 3 SIMA FAB 50 national ranking entering last week's section quarterfinals. That didn't stop unranked Chino Hills (Calif.) from posting one of the week's biggest surprises as Alexis Vera scored a golden goal in the 93rd minute for a 1-0 victory. The result sends Chino Hills into this week's section semifinals, and Aliso's season is over at 17-1-3.

In the closing minute of the first overtime, San Ramon Valley (Danville, Calif.) stunned Carondelet when Madison Griffey converted a corner kick from Rachel Speros for a 1-0 victory in the North Coast Section Division I final. Carondelelt was 18-0-6 entering the match and ranked No. 6 in the SIMA FAB 50. The result marked the second straight year a top-seeded, undefeated team lost in the highly competitive NCS Division I final.

See the entire WINTER high school region and state rankings:

WINTER REGION RANKINGS: BOYS (Feb. 29) | GIRLS (Feb. 29)

WINTER STATE RANKINGS: BOYS (Feb. 29) | GIRLS (Feb. 29)

Related Topics: SIMA FAB 50 / Event