South Pasadena boys' soccer goes into playoffs as No. 2 seed

After finishing up its regular season with momentum, culminating with a share of the Rio Hondo League championship for the first time since 1997, the South Pasadena High boys’ soccer team received an added bonus.

The Tigers were rewarded with the No. 2 seed in the CIF Southern Section Division V playoffs after the CIF office released its divisional pairings Monday.

South Pasadena, which split the league title with La Cañada, but earned the No. 1 seed out of the division by going 1-0-1 in two head-to-head meetings against the Spartans, will kick off the playoffs at home at 5 p.m. Friday against Victor Valley or Tahquitz in a first-round match.

Victor Valley (12-3-4) will meet visiting Tahquitz (9-8-5) in a wild-card match Tuesday with the winner slated to meet South Pasadena (14-1-3.).

The winner of the South Pasadena match will advance to the second round Feb. 20 against Nogales or Arroyo Grande.

South Pasadena is one of five local teams scheduled to participate in the playoffs. The Tigers will be joined by Marshall Fundamental, Maranatha, Pasadena Poly and Pasadena.

Marshall (16-4) will make the short trek to face fourth-seeded La Cañada (18-3-3) in a Division V first-round match at 5 p.m. Friday. Marshall placed second in the Alpha League behind Crossroads.

The winner will take on Pomona or Yucca Valley in a second-round match Feb. 20.

Maranatha and Pasadena Poly will participate in Division VI first-round matches at 5 p.m. Friday.

Maranatha (5-10-5) took second in the Olympic League and will meet visiting Environmental Charter (5-3 for third in the Harbor League).

The Maranatha-Environmental Charter winner will face Chadwick or Thacher in a second-round match Feb. 20.

Pasadena Poly, fresh off finishing third in the Prep League, will travel to Ontario Christian for a first-round match at 5 p.m. Friday. Pasadena Poly is 8-8-5. Ontario Christian (18-2) won the Ambassador League crown.

The Pasadena Poly-Ontario Christian winner will then take on Pacific or Cerritos Valley Christian in a second-round match at 5 p.m. Feb. 20.

Pasadena (13-5-3) will host a Division III wild-card match against Channel Islands at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The Bulldogs placed third in the Pacific League. Channel Islands (10-6-5) received at at-large berth after finishing fourth in the Pacifica View League.

The winner will meet second-seeded Santa Ana Valley in a first-round match at 5 p.m. Friday.