INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I’m covering the Hesperia Sultana-MoVal Valley View boys varsity soccer game tonight, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, for The Press-Enterprise, pe.com & @PEcom_preps. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.

The best part of this assignment is it’s the championship game of Perris Citrus Hill High School’s Hawks Winter Classic tournament.

THE LOW DOWN:
Sultana (4-0 overall) doesn’t even have this game on its MaxPreps.com schedule — or a current roster — so it’s a little hard to tell how seriously Coach Paul Mog or his team consider any of this. Last season’s roster would indicate some talent at a number of key positions along the team’s spine, but their 10-8-9 record was hardly noteworthy. Considering another Hesperia school, Oak Hills, dominates the High Desert’s boys soccer scene with no signs of slowing, a win tonight would make for a good story for a team looking for a little recognition and respect.

Valley View (6-1-1) is adjusting to life after John Kush. The Eagles’ long-time coach, who led them to the 2012 CIF-SS D2 title, stepped away from the program before this year. Jose Melgoza comes in and has had some moderate success early, but a preseason tournament title would be a nice achievement in any coach’s first season. Will Melgoza achieve the same level of long-term success as his predecessor? That remains to be seen.

THE STARTING XIs:
Sultana — Not available.

Valley View — GK Angel Vilela (Sr.); D Tanner Durr (Sr.); D Kevin Baker (Sr.); D Jose Lopes (Sr.); D Alonso Flores (Sr.); MF Yoshiro Shibayama (Sr.); MF Alfonso Guzman (Sr.); MF Yonis Bernal (Sr.); MF/F Jonathan Morales (Sr.); F Eddie Macias (Sr.); F Tony Vallejo (Sr.)

THE DIFFERENCE:
How fired up, really, are Valley View’s players for their new coach? Tonight will be a good look.

THE FINAL SCORE:
Valley View 2, Sultana 2 (Sultana wins in PKs)