Servite soccer team wins on penalty kicks to capture CIF Division 1 championship

Servite players celebrate after winning the CIF Division 1 title. (Photo courtesy Servite High School).

Servite High School’s soccer team captured an overtime victory in penalty kicks over Trinity League rival JSerra Friday to win the CIF Division 1 title Friday at JSerra.

Servite earned its second CIF title in the last three seasons and third since 2015 Friday night.
Servite won 3-0 in penalty kicks after ending regulation and both overtime periods tied 1-1. 

JT Danks scored the sole goal for the Servite (21-2-2) in the first half before the JSerra (17-4-1) scored n the 77th minute to force overtime and eventually penalty kicks. 

Eddie Villeda scored the first PK for Servite. Lucas Gimenez and Justin Faison followed with penalty kicks while Friars goalkeeper Merrick Cook stood out, saving the first two PK attempts by JSerra before the Lions missed the third one wide left to clinch the victory for Servite. 

It was the first CIF title for Servite’s second-year head coach Eddie Soto who led the team to Trinity League championships in both 2021 and 2022. 

Both teams have qualified for regional play which begins on Tuesday.

—Courtesy Servite athletics