Beaumont on the road in boys soccer playoffs

Beaumont High boys soccer coach Barry Steele has been in the game long enough to know that the unexpected should always be expected in the playoffs.

And having to fight through a sudden-death shootout in the Cougar’s playoff opener last week was somewhat unexpected.

“It’s the playoffs,” Steele said. “Anything can happen. We will have even matches from here on out. I don’t see us beating anyone 5-0.”

On Wednesday the Cougars are on the road for a CIF-Southern Section Div. 6 second round game at Sherman Oaks Buckley.

Beaumont isn’t the only Mountain Pass League team to qualify for the playoffs. MPL champion San Jacinto received the Div. 6 top seed and plays a second round game at Liberty League runner-up Viewpoint. MPL third place finisher Citrus Hill, off a wildcard victory over Academy League No. 3 Sage Hill and a first round win over High Desert League champion Rosamond,  plays the winner of today’s first round contest between Prep League champion Chadwick and San Joaquin runner-up Avalon.

In other second round games, Alpha League third place finisher Crossroads plays at Jurupa Hills, Alpha League runner-up Brentwood hosts De Anza League champion Desert Hot Springs, Ambassador League runner-up Ontario Christian plays at Mountain Valley League champion Rubidoux, Mountain Valley League wildcard entry Norte Dame hosts Academy League champion St. Margaret’s, and Freelancer Coast Union plays at Alpha League at-large entry Marshall.

Beaumont, ranked 8th in the final regular season soccer poll, will have its hand full against Buckley.

The Griffins (17-3) are the two-time Liberty League champions and are riding a 17-game win streak. The Griffins opened the season by losing two of their first four games and then dove into the streak.

Buckley, ranked No. 6 in the final regular season poll, opened the playoffs with an 8-1 win over wildcard entry Southland Christian.

Beaumont’s sudden-death affair with visiting Thermal Desert Mirage was a nail biter. The shootout itself began with 14 shots before the first miss.

“That is very deep to have no misses,” Steele said. “With the ball being wet and the weather, it being muddy out there, all played a part in it. It could have gone either way.”

Steele talked shootout strategy with his players late in regulation and throughout the two periods of overtime.

“We talked about which players would step up and take the penalty kicks,” Steele said. “Obviously that was our last option. We were trying to figure out a way to win the game in regulation and then in overtime. We were making adjustments to win.”

A big celebration broke out when Beaumont survived the shootout.

“It’s a big win for our boys,” Steele said. “We’ve got to be on a high after this. You’ve got to like our chances going into the next one.”