Sports Wrap Sports Wrap (February 18, 2005)

Lancer wrestling takes league

Buoyed by its seven seniors, the St. Francis wrestling team began its postseason by winning the West Catholic Athletic League Championships on Feb. 12.

The host Lancers took first place among seven teams. St. Francis placed a medalist in 11 of the 14 weight divisions including six first-place winners.

"Seven guys, four years," said Lancer coach Todd Meulman. "It takes a lot of commitment and a lot of courage. We think three or four can go to State."

St. Francis will compete in the Central Coast Section tournament next week.

Spartan soccer invited to CCS

Validating its rise to the upper De Anza Division this season, the Mountain View girls soccer team earned an invitation to the CCS Division II playoffs. Only a year after winning the lower El Camino Division championship, the Spartans (7-7-4) proved they can compete with the top programs.

Mountain View received the No. 10 seed and was scheduled to play No. 7 seed Notre Dame-Belmont on Feb. 16 (after the Voice's press time). An opening-round win would give the Spartans a rematch against No. 2 seed Palo Alto on Feb. 19. The Vikings beat Mountain View 3-0 in the regular season on Feb. 9.

The Spartan boys (11-5-4 overall) also qualified for CCS play on the strength of their solid finish in the tough De Anza Division. Mountain View notched the No. 3 seed in the CCS Division I playoffs and was scheduled to host No. 14 seed Santa Clara on Feb. 16. Barring an upset, the Spartans will play the winner of the North Salinas-Live Oak game in a quarterfinal match on Feb. 19.

St. Francis teams also make playoffs

After strong showings in the WCAL playoffs, the St. Francis boys and girls soccer teams received invitations to the CCS playoffs.

The Lancer boys, who scored first but eventually fell 2-1 to host Bellarmine in a WCAL semifinal match, earned the No. 8 seed in the CCS Division II playoffs. Should St. Francis (9-7-6) defeat No. 9 seed Menlo in a home contest on Feb. 16., it would likely face No. 1 seed Gunn in the quarterfinals on Feb. 19.

The Lancer girls suffered their second loss in a heartbreaker against visiting Mitty in the WCAL final. After tying the game with two goals early in the second half, St. Francis could not hold on and eventually lost 3-2 on Feb. 10.

Their dominant season earned them the No. 3 seed and a first-round bye in the CCS Division I playoffs. St. Francis (15-2-6) will host the winner of the Homestead-Alisal opening-round match on Feb. 19.

Eagles waiting in the wings

After winning four consecutive games, the Los Altos boys basketball team hopes that its late-season surge will be enough for a postseason bid.

The Eagles excelled in a must-win situation, defeating Saratoga 64-59 on Feb. 9. Los Altos not only halted the Falcons' 11-game winning streak but also became the first El Camino Division opponent to beat Saratoga this season.

Los Altos (12-14 overall, 6-5 league) owes its resurgence in part to the emergence of Kevin Riley. The senior forward, a recent addition to the starting lineup, posted a game-high 22 points against the visiting Falcons.

With CCS playoff teams to be announced on Feb. 20, the Eagles stand an outside chance for a bid as the probable third-place finisher in the lower El Camino Division.

MV on the bubble

Riding a three-game winning streak into its regular season finale, the Mountain View girls basketball team remains hopeful of a postseason bid.

The Spartans are now peaking, having posted double-digit margins of victory during each game of the streak and won six of their past eight games. With a road win against Cupertino on Feb. 16, Mountain View would secure at least a share of second place in the lower El Camino Division.

The Spartans are 14-10 overall, 7-4 league.

Lancer boys enter postseason

The St. Francis boys basketball team enters the postseason with hopes that it can finally win close contests.

The Lancers (12-14 overall, 5-9 league) have suffered seven losses by five or fewer points, a testament to the outstanding competition in the WCAL.

St. Francis played Valley Christian on Feb. 15 to start league playoffs.

With a petition to enter the CCS field likely to be granted, St. Francis will continue postseason play next week.
-- Scott Campbell

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