BOYS’ SOCCER PLAYOFFS : Santa Ana Gets Lone County Seeding

The Santa Ana High School boys’ soccer team, which struggled through its nonleague games, is seeded fourth in the Southern Section 4-A playoffs, which were announced Monday. The Saints are the only seeded team from Orange County in any of the five divisions.

On Friday, Santa Ana (17-6-2) will play the winner of today’s wild-card game between Don Lugo and St. John Bosco.

Because of injuries, the Saints were 4-4-1 going into Sunset League play. However, they recovered in time to win their third consecutive league championship.

Santa Ana won the Century League each of the last two seasons before being moved to the Sunset League this year.

The Saints are led by Gus Plasencia, who has 18 goals and seven assists.

Simi Valley (20-2-1) is the No. 1-seeded team in the 4-A division. Claremont (19-3-3) is No. 2 and Palos Verdes (25-3-3) No. 3.

In today’s 2-A wild-card games, Pacifica (9-7-4) will be at Costa Mesa (10-5-4) and Esperanza (10-3-8) will be at Valencia (8-9-4). Both matches begin at 3 p.m.

The 3-A, 1-A and Small Schools divisions begin first-round play on Thursday. The 4-A and 2-A play on Friday.

PAIRINGS: C13