Behind a strong Los Altos/Los Altos Hills contingent, the Woodside Priory boys soccer team is looking toward the Central Coast Section playoffs.
The Panthers entered Tuesday's regular-season finale at Fremont Christian tied for second place in the Private Schools Athletic League with a 6-3-2 record. Since only the top two teams in the league are guaranteed playoff berths, a win in yesterday's game - played after the Town Crier went to press - was crucial to the Panthers' cause.
"Those Los Altos boys need to keep doing what they're doing," coach Joe Montero said last week. "If they stay focused and keep playing like they have been, we should do well."
Woodside (9-6-4 overall) boasts six local players: Marcello Centofanti, Mike Hon and Alex Mills of Los Altos and Bryce Larsen, Todd Simmons and Paddy Sullivan of Los Altos Hills.
Centofanti, Hon, Larsen, Simmons and Sullivan are all senior starters. Mills, a sophomore, is what coach Joe Montero calls his "utility player."
"Alex has very good skills," said the ninth-year coach. "He can play in the midfield, at fullback and striker."
Larsen, who plays left outside, and Centofanti, a striker, are among the team's top scorers. Sullivan often rotates from midfield to stopper and "has played really well," Montero said.
Hon is doing a good job on defense, according to the coach, and Simmons is "having a very good year" as the team's goalkeeper.
Montero said the success of this year's squad can be attributed to hard work, senior leadership and an ability to play together as a team.
"The goals have been well distributed," Montero said. "The players pass well and create a lot of scoring opportunities for one another."
The CCS playoffs start Thursday.