SOCCER NOTEBOOK: RAIN DAMPENS WESTLAKE'S PLANS.

Byline: Chris Cocoles and Heather Gripp Staff Writers

The rain that kept teams off the practice fields early this week might affect the Westlake High girls' soccer team more than anything. Warriors coach Frank Marino has a problem: Senior leading-scorer Sara Silver-Hill (21 goals) was lost for the year with a torn ACL.

``The rain is a killer,'' Marino said Tuesday. ``In a perfect world, with four days of practice, we might have made some adjustments.''

Instead, Westlake hopes to get offensive contributions from Carrie Murphy, Nicole Johnson, Katie Nutter and Karyn Loftin.

The absence of Silver-Hill makes Westlake's task much more difficult as the Warriors (14-0-5) open with visiting Crescenta Valley today at 3 p.m.

``We have a lot to prove from last year,'' Marino said referring to Westlake's second-round playoff loss. ``We're staying with status quo. We haven't lost in 19 games. Why should I change it now?''

--He did it again: Maybe when Ryan Shaw graduates this year, St. Francis of La Canada will finally be able to stop rewriting its record books each season.

Shaw set the school single-season scoring record as a sophomore and has done the same thing each year since. The senior forward set the record again last week when he had four goals in two games to give him 24 for the season.

The four-year varsity starter is largely responsible for keeping the Golden Knights among the area's elite despite the loss of key players from last year's Mission League co-champions. Shaw started the season slower than he is used to, but when he found his groove, he helped St. Francis become one of the region's hottest teams and win an outright league title in one of the Southern Section's toughest leagues. The Golden Knights, who open at home against Cabrillo of Lompoc, are seeded third in Division IV.

--Corner kicks: The La Canada boys' team outscored opponents 86-8 during the regular season. Temple City was the only team to score more than one goal against the Spartans, who are seeded No. 1 in Division IV and open at home against Rosamond. . . .

Quartz Hill senior goalkeeper Eric Torres, who has suffered two concussions this season, was given medical clearance to play this week, but junior Ian McClung is expected to get the start in Saturday's first-round game against Ventura.

--Out in the cold: Most teams are worried about rain and muddy fields spoiling their postseason plans, but Quartz Hill's boys' team is more concerned about snow. The Rebels were among those who got Tuesday off from school because of snow.

Quartz Hill's field was covered in a half-foot of snow, according to boys' coach Andre Matalon, but that didn't keep his team from practicing. The players got to wear sweats for the practices but aren't looking forward to playing in shorts Saturday. Both the girls' and boys' teams open at home.

``It gets pretty cold, but if you keep moving you stay warm,'' sophomore midfielder Kiel McClung said.

--Sizing them up: The good news is, at least four region girls' teams will reach the second round of the Southern Section playoffs. But that means four others will be one and done. Here is a quick look at today's first-round matchups involving the locals:

In Division II:

Hart at Quartz Hill: The Rebels were reeling at 0-2-1 when they hosted Hart in December. But Quartz Hill pulled what was then considered a big upset. That triggered an 18-match Rebels winning streak. They probably won't lose today either considering the Indians are without seniors DeeDee Sanguinetti and Sarah Dean (red carded in last match).

Crescenta Valley at Westlake: In a similar spot last year, the Falcons took out a league champion in the first round (Hart). Can C.V. do it again over the Marmonte League-winning Warriors?

Thousand Oaks at Lancaster: Eagles senior scoring machine Laci Fults is unkown outside the Antelope Valley. A first-round win over the Marmonte League runner-up Lancers would give Fults some exposure.

L.A. Baptist at Flintridge Prep: Flintridge's season-ending loss to Pasadena Poly was costly, dropping the Rebels to a fourth seed and a much tougher draw. L.A. Baptist could feel the wrath of the Rebels' frustrations.