Inland Area Prep Soccer Top 10
1. Moreno Valley Valley View (8-1-3) – The Eagles are getting offense from all over. In addition to dominating forwards Alex Turkson (6-foot-1, 165 pounds) and Miguel Hernandez (5-9, 150), junior MF Daniel Roman (5-9, 155) added to the assault, scoring a goal in both matches last week.
LAST RANKED: (No. 1). LAST WEEK: d. Moreno Valley Vista del Lago, 2-0, on 1/5; d. Riverside Ramona, 3-1, on 1/7.
THIS WEEK: vs. Moreno Valley Rancho Verde TODAY; vs. Moreno Valley Canyon Springs FRIDAY.
2. Riverside King (9-3-4) – Wolves coach Todd Mapes was incensed by some suspect refereeing in a 2-1 loss at No. 6 Corona last Thursday, and received a red card for his trouble. His team has won two matches since.
LAST RANKED: (No. 2). LAST MATCH: lost to No. 6 Corona, 2-1, on 1/6; d. Norco, 2-1, on 1/10; d. No. 5 Riverside Poly, 1-0, on 1/11.
THIS WEEK: at Eastvale Roosevelt THURSDAY.
3. Murrieta Valley (11-3-1) – The Nighthawks have come out of winter hibernation scoring goals. Senior F Chris Sanders (6-2, 175) tallied in both victories last week for MurVly, which faces an important Southwestern League test Friday at Inland Area No. 8 Temecula Great Oak.
LAST RANKED: (No. 3); LAST WEEK: d. Menifee Heritage 4-1, on 1/5; d, Temescal Canyon, 2-1, on 1/6.
THIS WEEK: vs. Temecula Valley TODAY; at No. 8 Temecula Great Oak FRIDAY.
4. Claremont (8-0-4) – The Wolfpack won both the Rancho Cucamonga HS and the Upland HS tournaments. Led by senior MF Hugo Lepe (seven goals in seven matches), coach Fred Bruce-Oliver’s program is clearly among the Inland Area’s elite.
LAST RANKED: (No. 4). LAST MATCH: d. Fontana, 3-2 (OT), on 12/28.
NEXT MATCH: at Chino Hills TODAY; vs. Glendora Charter Oak FRIDAY.
5. Corona (6-0-3) — The Panthers used a little guile and a whole lot of cunning not observing the correct spot of the ball on a questionable quick restart that ignited a fast break and led to the game-winning goal in their victory over No. 2 Riverside King last Thursday. Coach Mike Sutherland’s team has managed draws in both matches since.
LAST RANKED: (No. 6). LAST WEEK: d. No. 2 Riverside King, 2-1, on 1/6; tied Eastvale Roosevelt, 2-2, on 1/10; tied Corona Santiago, 1-1, on 1/11.
NEXT MATCH: vs. Riverside Poly MONDAY.
6. Riverside Arlington (7-2-2) – The Lions continue to pour on the offense (and play a little defense, too), outscoring opponents 8-0 last week. Whatever coach Kevin Watson is doing is obviously working.
LAST RANKED: (No. 7). LAST MATCH: d. Moreno Valley, 6-0, on 1/5; d. Moreno Valley Rancho Verde, 2-0, on 1/7.
THIS WEEK: at No. 10 Riverside La Sierra TODAY; vs. Moreno Valley Vista del Lago THURSDAY.
7. Riverside Poly (5-4-3) – The Bears had a 1-1-1 record last week, scoring three while allowing three. Coach Alex Figueroa’s team will have to do better than just plain average in order to not drop any further in both the Big VIII League or this Top 10.
LAST RANKED: (No. 5). LAST WEEK: d. Eastvale Roosevelt, 2-1, on 1/6; tied Riverside North, 1-1, on 1/10; lost to No. 2 Riverside King, 1-0, on 1/11.
NEXT MATCH: at Norco THURSDAY.
8. Corona Santiago (5-1-2) – The Sharks, who are unbeaten in their last seven matches, make the jump into the Top 10 after playing to 1-1 draws with both No. 2 Riverside King and No. 5 Corona in the last 10 days.
LAST WEEK: (Not Ranked). LAST WEEK: d. Norco, 4-1, on 1/6; tied No. 5 Corona, 1-1, on 1/11.
THIS WEEK: vs. Riverside North THURSDAY.
9. Lake Elsinore Lakeside (8-0-4) — The Lancers, 2-0-1 against Top 10 teams this season, make the jump to No. 9 this week after defeating No. 10 Temecula Great Oak last Friday. Coach Colin Gilliland’s side plays two of its next three matches away from home.
LAST RANKED: (NR). LAST WEEK: d. No. 10 Temecula Great Oak, 3-2, on 1/7; tied Elsinore, 1-1, on 1/11.
THIS WEEK: at Perris THURSDAY; vs. Menifee Heritage TUESDAY.
10. Temecula Great Oak (6-3-1) – Despite two second-half goals, the Wolfpack lost to Lake Elsinore Lakeside in a non-league match last Friday. In an obvious scheduling quirk, coach Geoff Houck’s side has played only on away match this season.
LAST RANKED: (No. 8). LAST WEEK: lost to Lake Elsinore Lakeside, 3-2, on 1/7.
NEXT MATCH: vs. Murrieta Mesa TODAY; vs. No. 3 Murrieta Valley FRIDAY.
DROPPED OUT: No. 9 Temecula Chaparral (4-4-3); No. 10 Riverside La Sierra (7-2-3).
JUST MISSED: San Bernardino Cajon (11-2-2), Redlands Arrowhead Christian (8-4-3), Yucaipa (8-5-1).
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 