PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Both Burbank and Burroughs Make It Into Wild Card Round

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Burbank High's Alessia Dal-Monte takes a kick as Burroughs Alexis Mendias works the field. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)
Burbank High's Alessia Dal-Monte takes a kick as Burroughs Alexis Mendias works the field. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

There may be better teams in the CIF Southern Section playoff brackets than the Burbank Bulldogs, but there certainly isn’t anyone as battled tested.

Burbank first had to beat its crosstown rival Burroughs on February 9 to force a one-game playoff for the fourth and final playoff spot the next day. Next, the Bulldogs had to beat their rivals in dramatic fashion — double overtime to complete their mission.

When Taylor Gore scored a goal with just over one-minute remaining in the second overtime period, the Bulldogs knew for sure that they were heading to the playoffs by way of their 2-1 victory.

Burbank High's Taylor Gore works the ball while Josie Castellon of Burroughs tries to defend her team. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

It was one of only two shots that got past Indians’ goalkeeper Tatiana Sanchez who had a season-high 14 saves. Alessia Dal Monte got Burbank even, 1-1, in the 66th minute of the contest on a header.

The Bulldogs will also have to play a wild card match on Wednesday, February when it hosts Rancho Cucamonga.

One gets the feeling they don’t care after such a dramatic ride to the postseason.

Burroughs had a week of controversy last week. Three players were suspended for the 4-0 loss to Burbank on February 9 for posting something about their rivals and specific players on the social media outlet, Facebook. Although two of the three were reinstated after their school suspensions were rescinded

Burroughs High's Lilth Paparo-Prieto move the ball during second overtime. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Friday, the Indians still fell to Burbank (11-9-2) twice in a two-day span.

Burroughs had to be relieved to learn it had qualified for a Wildcard berth anyway when brackets were released on Monday, February 13. The Indians (13-9-2) will play at Lakewood on February 15 at 3:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

Burbank High's Varsity Girls Soccer Team poses for a team shot after defeating rival Burroughs twice in two days to qualify for the CIF Playoffs (Photo by Ross A. Benson)