Mater Dei(24-2-4) vs. La Puente Nogales (23-4-4)

NOON LA MIRADA HIGH

The third-seeded Monarchs are making their fourth trip to the finals in eight years--winning in 1994 and ’97 and tying Edison last year. Mater Dei has only lost to Dana Hills, in the Marina tournament, and to Santa Margarita in Serra League play. Nogales is making its first finals appearance in 20 years and it is an unlikely one. The Nobles lost sophomore Carlos Lopez to a knee injury. Lopez, a member of the state Olympic Development Program, had 26 goals in 15 games this year and 34 as a freshman. Nogales, which starts seven sophomores, two juniors and two seniors, upset top-seeded El Dorado in the semifinals, 3-2.

KEY PLAYERS

Mater Dei

MF Matt Fennell, Sr.

13 goals, 13 assists

MF Juan Gutierrez, Sr.

9 goals, 8 assists

GK Nate Pena, Jr.

14 shutouts

F Ruben Rosales, Sr.

10 goals, 3 assists

Nogales

F Mario Briseno, So.

14 goals

MF Gonzalo Alvarez, Jr.

6 goals, 16 assists

F Ronnie Vincent, So.

6 goals, 5 in playoffs

GK Manuel Valdivia, Sr.

12 shutouts