Prep Soccer: Focus key for Cougar playoff run

Daniel Byrne has experienced both sides of the playoff pendulum.

The Golden Valley midfielder rode the thrill of victory right into the Division 1 section title game as a sophomore.

His junior experience, however, was a little more humbling as the Cougars suffered a first-round exit after winning the team's first Central California Conference title in school history.

Byrne hopes Golden Valley (16-4-6) has already endured all the pain it's going to this season, after being denied a second straight title with a 4-3 loss to Merced on the final day of the regular season.

It might have been the wake up call this Cougar team needs to duplicate 2009's run.

"The major difference between my sophomore year and last year was focus," Byrne said. "The year we went to the title game we came out ready to go every single game.

"Last year we had like a half day, and we were just sitting around the classroom waiting. Guys were wrestling and goofing around. You could tell we weren't ready."

Byrne hopes to have that '09 focus tonight when Golden Valley opens the Sac-Joaquin Division 1 playoffs at Veterans Stadium against Stockton McNair (9-5-2). The opening kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

The quick turnaround from last Thursday's regular-season finale doesn't give the Cougars much time to prepare, but head coach Lee Shaw thinks that could be a good thing.

"After last week's loss to Merced, you want to get back on the field as soon as possible," Shaw said. "We had a really good, really focused first session (Monday), and I'm excited for this opportunity.

"We get the first playoff game in the stadium's history. It's at night, under the lights in front of what should be a good crowd.

"What more would the players need to get up for it?"

Golden Valley is one of six local teams to make the playoffs.

Atwater (13-6-6) will also open Division 1 play today vs. TCAL runner up Tokay at the Grape Bowl. That game kicks off at 3 p.m.

"We've played really well at times and haven't lost in over a month, which in the playoffs is obviously the goal," Atwater coach Jimmy Brewer said. "One of the things the league coaches talked about is how top to bottom, we push each other each time out. So we've played meaningful, playoff-type games right up until the last week.

"We should be ready to go."

Four teams will get underway on Thursday, including Gustine (19-3-1) and state-leading goal scorer Jose Barriga (43).

The Redskins will host Golden Sierra (8-11-2) in a Division 6 first-round matchup. Delhi (9-5-2) will travel to Victory Christian, also in Division 6.

Livingston (17-5-4) will travel to Manteca (13-6-3) for a Division 4 play-in game and Hilmar (11-9-3) will visit West Campus (8-2-1) in Division 5.