BOYS' SOCCER: LITTLEROCK BREAKING GROUND PLAYOFF VICTORY GIVES VALIDATION, CONFIDENCE TO INEXPERIENCED TEAM.Byline: Matthew Matthew one of the twelve disciples. [N.T.: Matthew] See : Evangelism Kredell Staff Writer In a season of firsts for the Littlerock boys' soccer team, the Lobos added another one to the books last week: first playoff play·off also play-off n. Sports 1. A final game or series of games played to break a tie. 2. A series of games played to determine a championship. Noun 1. victory. Francisco Bravo BRAVO Cardiology A clinical trial–Blockade of the GP IIB/IIIA Receptor to Avoid Vascular Occlusion– which evaluated lotrafiban in preventing strokes and acute MI. See GP IIB/IIIA. gave Littlerock the lead in the 30th minute and the defense clamped down for a 2-1 win Saturday over Etiwanda in the first round of the Southern Section Div. I playoffs. It was just Littlerock's third playoff game Noun 1. playoff game - one game in the series of games constituting a playoff game - a single play of a sport or other contest; "the game lasted two hours" playoff - any final competition to determine a championship in the 14th year of varsity soccer for the school. ``It was very emotional,'' defender Aurellio Sanchez said. ``When the final whistle A simple whistle is a woodwind instrument which produces sound from a stream of forced air. Many types exist, from small police and sports whistles (also called pea whistles), to much larger train whistles, which are steam whistles specifically designed for use on blew, I couldn't believe we actually won the first playoff game ever for Littlerock. I thought it was a penalty kick or something.'' With no current players having postseason experience, Littlerock quickly adjusted to playoff intensity. Bravo rebounded a free kick to give the Lobos the victory. For everyone who doubted Littlerock's unexpected Golden League title, there's nothing more to question. Littlerock is still playing while the other league teams have begun the offseason. ``People were opening their mouths and saying we were lucky,'' Sanchez said. ``But we won in the first round and proved them wrong on the field. We were the only ones in the Golden League to advance, so I'm pretty sure people will be quiet now.'' Littlerock will get to experience a playoff road game today, traveling to Edison of Huntington Beach Huntington Beach, city (1990 pop. 181,519), Orange co., S Calif., on the Pacific coast, across from Santa Catalina Island, in an oil-producing area; inc. 1909. It manufactures aerospace vehicles, aircraft parts, optical instruments, and heat transfer equipment. for the second round. Entering the season, no one expected Littlerock to be here. Not even its team members could have predicted it. So with one playoff win under its belt and no pressure, another victory is not out of the question. ``We weren't surprised to win,'' coach Eric Stanford said. ``There hasn't been a team all season that has handled us ball-possession wise.'' --Reinforcements: Maxwell Griffin was expected to provide much of the offense for Littlerock this season. However, a recurring re·cur intr.v. re·curred, re·cur·ring, re·curs 1. To happen, come up, or show up again or repeatedly. 2. To return to one's attention or memory. 3. To return in thought or discourse. ankle injury has kept him out of the lineup A criminal investigation technique in which the police arrange a number of individuals in a row before a witness to a crime and ask the witness to identify which, if any, of the individuals committed the crime. for all but two games. Griffin will return to the team today for the first time since midseason. Bravo has done well in his place, becoming Littlerock's leading scorer, so Griffin will come in off the bench. For a team that sometimes struggles to score, Griffin could have a big impact on the playoffs. The senior has three goals in his two games this season. ``Hopefully he can come off the bench and provide some instant offense,'' Stanford said. ``He's been dying to play.'' Matthew Kredell, (818) 713-3607 matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com |
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