Loyola soccer has lofty goal

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Most teams would be perfectly satisfied winning 25 games and earning a share of the Southern Section Division I boys’ soccer title. Elite programs like Loyola, however, don’t like to share the goods.

The Cubs began this season intent on winning the championship outright and so far they are on course to reach their fifth consecutive Southern Section Division I final. Loyola tied Santa Margarita, 1-1, in March for its second section title in three years, capping a campaign in which 19 opponents were held scoreless.

So far this season the Cubs, ranked seventh in Division I in the Southern California Coaches Assn.’s preseason poll, have six victories -- all shutouts -- including three against ranked teams.

- Image from www.loyolahs.edu

Loyola opened with a 2-0 road victory over Long Beach Millikan, the top-ranked team in Division I. Two days later, the Cubs won, 1-0, over host Bellflower, ranked 10th in Division III.

After tying Redondo and St. John Bosco and blanking Mater Dei, the Cubs traveled to Beverly Hills, ranked 10th in Division IV, and edged the Normans, 1-0. Then the Cubs beat Damien, 2-0, in a rematch of Loyola’s overtime win in the second round of the playoffs last winter.

Loyola (6-1-4) begins defense of its Mission League title Friday against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

-- Steve Galluzzo, guest blogger