Emotional pitch in Mira Costa, Loyola championship game
Dylan Engels.
Ken Yap.
Nico Calderone.
Michael Crisera.
Michael Crisera.
Thomas Southey and Ben Moglia.
Photos by Ray Vidal
Manhattan Beach sends more students to Loyola High School in downtown Los Angeles than any other city, which ramps up the emotions in every game in every sport it plays against Mira Costa. The opposing players often grew up on the same teams, prior to high school. Friday night the emotions between the two teams may reach an all time high when the schools’ boys soccer teams meet at Mira Costa for the Southern California Division 1 Championships.
Mira Costa reached the finals by upsetting Cathedral 2-1 in the quarter finals and defeating Godinez, on Saturday, 6-1. Cathedral had been ranked number 1, nationally.
Mira Costa was 8-1-1 in Bay League play. Loyola was 12-0 in Mission League play.
The two have met just once this season. The game ended in a draw, 1-1. Fox Sports Prep Zone will air Friday’s game, live, at 7 p.m. ER