Both the boys' and girls' varsity soccer teams did what was necessary to earn a spot in the CIF playoffs which starts this week.

The boys recovered from a challenging final week of January (2 ties and 1 loss) only to start February with two commanding performances and corresponding wins.

First, they played Hawthorne on the road on February 3, and returned with a dominating 6-0 victory. The Centaurs scored in a multitude of ways and with a variety of players to get their season back on track. Goal scorers included Gabriel Mejia, Matthew Solis, Jake Aigner, Curtis Collazos, Hayden Brown and Nico Gonzalez.

Next, on a festive Senior Night that included the drum core from the marching band, the boys ended their regular season against rival Beverly Hills and trounced them 5-1 on February 5. Goal scorers included Hayden Brown, Curtis Collazos, Nico Gonzalez, Gabriel Mejia and Erik Caldera.

The two wins where enough to lock up second place in league and earn the squad a first-round home game (last Wednesday) in the playoffs. However, the squad will actually progress as the top team from the Ocean League as El Segundo has been disqualified for rules violations.

The Centaurs played Fillmore (who the team beat last year in the playoffs). A win on Wednesday will send the boys on the road to Artesia in the second round taking place February 14th. A victory there would give the boys a lot to love on Valentine 's Day and move them into the third round of CIF playoffs.

"The boys regained their focus and their form, and I feel like our momentum is in the right place heading into CIF. It requires intensity and a one game at time mentality. We have a good chance to progress." said coach Mike Castillo.

The girls enjoyed a similar fate last week earning two hard fought victories. They too beat Hawthorne 6-0 and handled Beverly Hills 1-0 to close out the season in second place in the Ocean League. Jordan Weiss was the goal scorer against Beverly Hills which helped the Lady Centaurs secured second place in the Ocean league. They will go on the road to face a higher ranked Downey team in the first round on, today, February 13th. The game will start at 5 p.m. If they advance their next game will be against Mira Costa or West Ranch on Saturday.

George Laase

Culver City's junior girls soccer player, Emily de los Santos is the team's leading scorer with eight goals.

"This is our first season playing in a Division 2 playoff game," said Coach Pete Bartlett. "I feel confident in the team and the girls are eager to prove they can progress at this higher level."

To find out if the teams advance please contact Culver City High School by Friday, at 3 p.m.