Boys’ soccer: Cathedral gains D-1 final with win over Mater Dei

Cathedral edged Mater Dei 1-0 in the Feb. 16 semifinals of the Division 1 Catholic  CIF-Southern Section boys’ soccer playoffs, and will play this weekend for the championship.

Five saves by senior goalkeeper Adrian Munoz and a first-half goal by senior Omar Arrieta, assisted by senior Kevin Aparicio, enabled the second-seeded Phantoms (21-2-2) to gain the final against fifth-seeded San Clemente (21-2-4). The date (either Feb. 22 or 23) and location will be announced soon.

The Phantoms last won a CIF title (Division 3) in 2015. Last year, Cathedral was beaten by Santa Barbara, 3-2 on penalty kicks, in the D-1 final.

In the Division 7 semis, fifth-seeded Bishop Diego was edged 1-0 by tenth-seeded San Dimas.

Mike Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News).

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