BILL KRUISSINK: PREPS
Contra Costa Times
Article
Launched: 12/14/2007 03:16:26 AM PST
THE SIXTH ANNUAL Tri-Valley Classic girls
soccer tournament begins Thursday at nine East Bay venues.
This
year, Las Lomas High School coach Tom Frangoulis and
his indomitable crew have enticed teams from 50 schools from around the state,
as well as Nolan Catholic-Fort Worth (Texas), to come to the area for some
soccer.
"The
reason there are not more out-of-state teams is finals," Frangoulis said. "Many of the schools had finals and
couldn't make the trip."
But
Southern California schools such as Flintridge and Horizon from San Diego and
Bonita Vista and Corona Del Mar from the Los Angeles area have signed up.
Also
new, the Gold Division has split into "early" and "late"
divisions, reflecting those teams' schedules. In addition, the Maroon Division
is gone, replaced by the Silver Division. For some schools, playing in the
Maroon Division didn't sound right. Maroon and gold are the Las Lomas school
colors.
Still,
the Invitational Division remains top flight. Powerhouses such as two-time
defending North Coast Section champ San Ramon Valley are installed.
Last
year, Foothill defeated Las Lomas 1-0 to win the Invitational Division title.
As for
the venues, the new Mustang Soccer Complex, at 4680 Camino Road in Danville,
will see a ton of action.