Northern Section soccer playoff brackets announced

The match-ups are set for the first Northern Section soccer playoffs since the larger schools moved their seasons from the fall to the winter.

Several teams from the Tri-County area are poised to contend for the title in their respective divisions while others will try to play spoiler.

The first round begins on Thursday and the second round is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 19. All games times are scheduled for 3 p.m. unless changed by mutual consent by the participating schools.

The section championship games are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 23.

BOYS DIVISION I

No. 5 Corning (14-3-2) at No. 4 Pleasant Valley (11-3-1)

The Cardinals lost their only game against the Vikings 3-0 on Dec. 18 in Corning. The Cardinals swept through the Northern Athletic League without a loss, their only tie coming at the hands of University Prep 1-1 on Jan. 10.

The winner plays at No. 1 Shasta on Feb. 19. On the other side of the bracket, No. 2 Enterprise awaits the winner between No. 6 Foothill at No. 3 Chico.


BOYS DIVISION II

No. 1 Orland (17-0-1) first round bye

The Trojans have a bye on Thursday and play the winner of No. 5 Gridley at No. 4 Anderson on Tuesday, Feb. 19. The Trojans haven't played either of their potential opponents but enter the game with a 1-1 tie against Pleasant Valley in Chico on Jan. 3 as the only blemish on their record.

On the other side of the bracket, No. 2 Live Oak awaits the winner of No. 6 Sutter at No. 3 West Valley.


BOYS DIVISION III

No. 5 Hamilton (6-6-5) at No. 4 Pierce (7-4-3)

In the only game between the Braves and the Bears this season, the teams battled to a 2-2 draw on Dec. 6 in Hamilton City. Both teams went 1-1-1 in the final three games of the regular season.

The winner plays at No. 1 Esparto on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

No. 6 Willows (9-6-4) at No. 3 Williams (10-3-1)

The Honkers opened the season with a 3-0 victory Nov. 20 in Williams in the only head-to-head match between the two teams. The Yellowjackets won eight of their final nine games while the Honkers are 0-4-4 after opening the season 9-2.

The winner plays at No. 2 University Prep on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

GIRLS DIVISION II

No. 2 Orland (12-5-1) first round bye

The Trojans have a bye on Thursday and play the winner of No. 6 Live Oak at No. 3 Winters on Tuesday, Feb 19. The Trojans beat Live Oak 5-1 on Dec. 4 and played Winters three times, winning the first two games before losing 1-0 on Feb. 5.

On the other side of the bracket, No. 1 Sutter has a bye on Thursday and will play the winner of No. 5 Lassen at No. 4 West Valley.


GIRLS DIVISION III

No. 5 Williams (3-8-1) at No. 4 Willows (6-8-4)

The Yellowjackets beat the Honkers 3-1 in the season opener for both teams, but lost six of their final seven games. The Honkers lost their first four games but settled down for a solid second half of the season.

The winner plays at No. 1 University Prep on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

No. 6 Pierce (4-6-5) at No. 3 Colusa (7-4-5)

The Bears played the RedHawks to a 2-2 draw on Dec. 4 in the only meeting between the two teams. Colusa bounced back from a slow start, losing just once in the final 11 games. Pierce closed the season with back-to-back 0-0 ties.

The winner plays at No. 2 Esparto on Tuesday, Feb. 19.