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Crean Lutheran players gather after the semifinal victory. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs / John Luciano).
Crean Lutheran High School’s girls soccer team will be out to bring home the program’s first CIF title when it meets top-seeded Hemet Saturday at 5 p.m. in the Division 5 final at Saints Stadium on the Crean Lutheran campus.
“We are all extremely excited about the opportunity to play in a CIF final game,” said Saints Coach Stephen Jennings. “Not many people can say they’ve played or coached in the CIF final; it’s a truly an honor to be a part of this amazing experience.
“Our girls have worked tremendously hard this year and have been so dedicated to one another. Hemet will be a very tough opponent for us, but our girls are up for the challenge. I wish only the best of luck to Hemet High School and they should be proud of their accomplishments this year.”
Third-seeded Crean Lutheran (18-3-3) advanced to the finals for the first time since 2017 with a 1-0 victory over Walnut in the semifinals last week. Hemet (16-2-3) qualified for the finals with a 4-2 victory over Ontario Christian.
Crean Lutheran has many outstanding players who have led the way,
“Illa Sutherland is our current leading goal scorer, but the best thing about our team is we have so many, attacking threats and goals don’t come from one person alone,” Jennings said. “Having a goalkeeper as talented as Brooklynn Acevedo in goal gives these girls confidence and the freedom to play knowing that the opponent is going to have a hard time beating her.”
It willl be the third time that Jennings has been a coach in the CIF finals. In 2017, he led the Crean Lutheran girls team in its first appearance in the finals.
In 2001, he was boys coach at Dana Hills when the team finished as the runner-up to Long Beach Millikan. Then in 2017, he led Crean Lutheran into the CIF Division 5 final against Viewpoint. Viewpoint won 2-0.
“They have all been such memorable experiences and I cannot wait for Saturday,” he said. “Hopefully we can get over the hump this time. Hopefully the third time is a charm as a coach.”
Hemet reached the CIF Division 5 finals last year, losing to Marshall 4-3 in the championship.
Weather could be a factor in Saturday’s match with rain possible. Crean Lutheran Athletic Director Eric Olson said the match will be played regardless of the weather conditions.
