SOCCER; A ROYAL-HART BOYS' SHOWDOWN IS LOOMING.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

At least one team will go from title hopeful to noncontender in the span of a week.

The Royal and Hart boys' soccer teams both won tournament championships last weekend - the Highlanders by going undefeated at the Burroughs tournament, and Hart by winning the Rebel Kickoff in Bakersfield - but with both placed in the same bracket for the Royal tournament beginning today, at least one will be in the consolation round by the end of the day.

Even the team that wins the possible second-round matchup has a tough road to winning its second tournament in a row. The 32-team event, which runs through Tuesday, features top teams from a variety of areas, including Ventura County, the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley.

Hart coach Ron Lindberg, whose team was a late addition to the tournament after its own tournament was canceled, expects the competition to be more difficult than what his team faced last weekend when it won the program's first tournament championship.

``It'll be a step up,'' Lindberg said. ``It's one of the tougher tournaments.''

Hart opens against Chaminade and Royal plays Bishop Amat. Both games are at 9:30 a.m., with the winners advancing to a 2:30 p.m. second-round matchup.

Games are played at Royal High, Rancho Santa Susana Park and the neighboring Simi Valley Soccer Foundation Fields. The final is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday in Royal Stadium.

The Indians improved to 8-2-1 when sophomore goalkeeper Kyle Reynish posted his fifth shutout in six games Thursday in a 3-0 victory against Notre Dame. Jose Ochoa and Mike Caso have led the offense, but the return of players like Chris Ciccone and Jared Bazar from the football team should boost both the offense and defense.

Royal senior Evan Kay earned MVP honors at the Burroughs tournament for his knack of scoring in clutch situations, but the Highlanders (5-2-2) have a variety of threats, including Randy Wilson, Robert Snodgrass and David Duncan. They helped Royal open Marmonte League play with a win against defending league champion Newbury Park.

Glendale, Burroughs and Alemany all faced Royal in the Burroughs tournament and are in the same bracket this week as the Highlanders for a chance to make up for close losses. Glendale took Royal to penalty kicks before losing the shootout 5-4. Burroughs went to sudden-death overtime before losing the semifinal 2-1.

Royal's fellow Marmonte League members Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Westlake, are also competing, but would have to advance to Monday's semifinal round to face each other.

Saugus is the only other Foothill League team participating, and the two are in opposite halves of the bracket. Saugus opens against Thousand Oaks.

Golden League teams can get a good idea of what to anticipate during their league race with Quartz Hill, Palmdale, Lancaster and Littlerock all part of this weekend's field.

In girls soccer:

Many of the region's top girls' teams compete across town starting Monday in the Simi Valley tournament at Simi Valley High.

Simi Valley and defending City champion Chatsworth met in last year's final and are back as two of the top teams. Defending Division IV co-champion Bishop Montgomery is also among those the 32-team field. Buena, Westlake, Valencia and Canyon are among other contenders for a spot in Wednesday's final.