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aim for4th in rowSOCCER: The midfielder will try to help Santa Margarita win a fourth CIF Division III championship today.By SCOTT BROWNThe Orange County RegisterEven as a high school freshman, there was something special about Spencer George.Santa Margarita coach Curt Bauer saw it and brought the ninth-grader up to the school’s varsity soccer team just in time for the 1997 CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs.It was a somewhat unusual move, throwing a freshman into the fray when the games meant the most. But then, George has always been an unusual talent.Santa Margarita, with George’s help, went on to win the Division III crown that year, followed it up with successive championships in each of the past two seasons, and stands on the verge of an unprecedented fourth consecutive CIF title as it plays Bonita of La Verne today at 2 p.m., at Cal State Fullerton.Bauer, a recipient of national coaching awards and an Orange County soccer icon in his eighth season with the Eagles, is qualified to evaluate ability on the field, and he lights up when asked about George.“He’s the most talented player I’ve ever coached,” Bauer said. “He’s a quiet guy, and leads by example. “Spencer is just... nBauer paused, waiting for the right word to come.“Driven.”Bauer’s praise means much to Spencer, the fifth George brother to learn the high school game from the coach.“Coach Bauer is the reason we’re a successful program,” said George, a midfielder. “Individually, I’m just one of many players who can rise to the occasion, like Sebastian (Galmorini), Ryan (Curtis), Mike (Meek) and Non (Wells).“But Coach knows so much about the psychology of winning. He’s why we’re always peaking late in the year.”And hard work, according to Bauer, is also the essence of George, a well-spoken teenager who carries a 4.5 grade-point average and is considering scholarship offers from Harvard and soccer powerhouse UCLA.| CIF-SS SOCCER FINALSDIVISION I BOYSESPERANZA (20-6 3) VS. TEMECULA VALLEY (21-1-7)► Site, time: Cal State Fullerton, today, noon► Outlook: The Aztecs, who entered the playoffs as a wild card, will make their fifth championship appearance in 11 years. In the semifinals, Esperanza knocked off Sunset League rivalFountain Valley, the county's second-ranked team for most of the season and the division's No. 4 seed. Mike O'Donnell scored the game-winnner in double overtime for the Aztecs. Temecula Valley, the Sun Belt League champions, advanced to the championship match thanks to forfeits by Alta Loma and El Toro.DIVISION II BOYSMATER DEI (27-5-1) VS. EDISON (19-4-2)► Site, time: Cal State Fullerton, today, 10 a.m.► Outlook: Kevin Novak scored his 15th goal of the season as the Monarchs stunned undefeated Riverside Poly in the semifinals. The strength of the Chargers for the past two seasons has been its backfield, led by Sunset League Defensive MVP Jeff Kunze.DIVISION III BOYSSANTA MARGARITA (23-1-3) VS. BONITA (25-3)► Site, time: Cal State Fullerton, today, 2 p.m.► Outlook: The Eagles will try to win their fourth consecutive section championship. If they win, Santa Margarita coach Curt Bauer, the NSCAA Western Region Coach of the Year, said he will move up to Division I. Bonita, the Valle Vista League champions, has outscored itsopponents 7-1 in the playoffs.DIVISION IV BOYSESTANCIA (19-1-1) VS. BISHOP MONTGOMERY (21-2-3)► Site, time: La Mirada High, today, 10 a.m.► Outlook: The Eagles have two of the best goal scorers in the county in Cesar Terrones and Esaul Mendoza. Bishop Montgomery, the division's No. 1 seed, has a strong defense led by sweeper Freddie Tartaglia.DIVISION IV BOYSST. MARGARET'S (17-6) VS. PASADENA POLY (22-2-1)► Site, time: At La Mirada, today, 2 p.m.► Outlook: The Tartans make their first championship match appearance in school history Miah Gallegos, who scored the game-winner in the Tartans' semifinal victory against Frazier Mountain, has scored 16 goals this season. Top-seeded Pasadena Poly has not allowed a goal in he playoffs.By DAMIAN DOTTOREJThe Register
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Santa Ana Orange County Register
Santa Ana, California, US
Sat, Mar 04, 2000
Page 70
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