Unbeaten J.Serra, La Salle and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy have advanced to the Feb. 16 semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section girls’ soccer playoffs this weekend after posting quarterfinal round victories Feb. 12.

No. 1 ranked J.Serra (18-0-3) shut out San Juan Hills 3-0 in the Division 1 quarterfinals, and will host No. 4 Villa Park (20-1-1) in the semifinals for the right to play in the title match the following weekend.

In Division 3, No. 10 Flintridge Sacred Heart (10-4-3) edged South Torrance 3-2, and in the semifinals will play No. 3 Downey (17-5-5) which eliminated Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks 1-0.

And in Division 4, No. 5 La Salle (16-5) blanked No. 4 Windward 1-0 and hosts Palm Desert (16-6-1) in the semis.

Both Catholic school teams left in Division 7 were eliminated by 3-1 scores, as No. 1 Notre Dame/Riverside beat No. 9 St. Bonaventure and Marshall beat St. Mary’s Academy.

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

Start your day with Always Forward, our award-winning e-newsletter. Get this smart, handpicked selection of the day’s top news, analysis, and opinion, delivered to your inbox. Sign up absolutely free today!