For the first time in program history, the Pacifica Christian boys soccer team is headed to a CIF-SS championship match.
In a statement victory on the road, the Tritons defeated top-seeded San Jacinto Leadership Academy 1-0 in the CIF-SS Division 8 semifinals, knocking off the No. 1 seed and punching their ticket to the finals.
From the opening whistle, Pacifica Christian set the tone. The Tritons controlled possession, dictated tempo, and consistently applied pressure in the attacking third. Despite generating multiple high-quality scoring chances throughout the first half and into the second, the breakthrough proved elusive.
Shots sailed just wide. A pair of promising runs were disrupted at the last moment. But Pacifica never wavered.
With approximately 15 minutes remaining in the second half, the persistence finally paid off.
Forward Shaun Sandhu found himself behind the defense on a perfectly timed breakaway. Racing toward goal with composure, Sandhu calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to give the Tritons the 1-0 advantage — a goal that would ultimately stand as the difference.
The final minutes were a test of resilience. San Jacinto Leadership Academy pressed forward in search of an equalizer, but Pacifica’s back line held firm, clearing dangerous balls and closing down space. The Tritons’ defensive discipline capped off a complete team performance on both ends of the pitch.
The Tritons will now host the CIF-SS Division 8 Finals against Rio Hondo Prep. All game details to be released shortly.