Live Oak boys, girls soccer lead area in weekly NSCIF rankings; Wheatland boys pace Yuba-Sutter in SJS rankings
Dec. 14—Johanna Petrone netted a pair of goals, while Mckayla Holmen put one through to help guide the Live Oak High girls soccer team to a 3-1 win at River Valley, bolstering its top-10 ranking in this week's MaxPreps Northern Section computerized rankings.
As of Thursday, Live Oak (7-1-1) leads the area at No. 5 in the full NSCIF rankings published throughout the season.
MaxPreps does not poll coaches, sportswriters or fans. Nor does its staff make any judgments on the merits of any individual team. Prior season history, school size and comments on message boards are not considered in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings, MaxPreps said in a statement.
The system utilizes the huge number of game results stored in the MaxPreps database. Generally, the more a team wins, the higher the ranking. However, the system takes into account quality wins (against other highly ranked opponents) and strength of schedule, MaxPreps stated.
For example, a team's ranking is hurt more by losing to a team that is ranked below them than a team ranked ahead, according to MaxPreps.
Other factors that will affect the rankings are times when MaxPreps has incomplete or inaccurate information. MaxPreps will correct errors when they are reported. Missing scores and games can be reported on the team's MaxPreps page.
Playoff wins are weighted higher than regular season games, MaxPreps stated.
Movement indicates the up or down movement within the rankings when compared to our previously published rankings. For any additional help with the rankings please email https://t.maxpreps.com/3T94Mxy.
Live Oak is back Monday at 2 p.m. when it visits Hamilton, of Glenn County, in its final tuneup before league begins in January.
Ahead of Live Oak is Pleasant Valley, Shasta, Foothill and Chico in that order — all of which are unbeaten except Foothill (Palo Cedro).
Gridley is 12th in the NSCIF at 3-1-1, with wins over Willows, Los Molinos and Pierce. The Bulldogs host Colusa at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday. Senior Rafaela Anguiano has five goals to lead Gridley.
NSCIF boys soccer
Live Oak had its first draw of the year when it tied River Valley, 1-1 on Tuesday. The Lions are 5-2-1 overall and ranked a mid-valley best No. 5 in the NSCIF full rankings released again Thursday.
Jesus Rivera netted his first goal of the year to earn Live Oak the draw with River Valley. Esteban Alvarado has four to lead the Lions into their final nonleague match Monday at 2 p.m. at Hamilton.
Sac Valley League action begins Jan. 9 at Los Molinos for both the Live Oak girls and boys.
Sac-Joaquin Section girls soccer
Yuba City (7-2-2), fell five spots to No. 14, but remains tops in the area in this week's SJS overall rankings. The Honkers have begun Capital Valley League play and have No. 2 Inderkum (10-0-1) in the near future Jan. 16 at home. Before then, YC hosts Antelope Tuesday, is at rival River Valley Thursday and welcomes in Sutter on Jan. 4.
Sutter, last year's small school SJS finalist, is off to a 3-2 start with wins over Marysville, Bear River and Colusa. The Huskies are 48th in the section and fourth in the area as of Thursday.
The top three are Rocklin, Inderkum and Manteca — all of which are undefeated.
SJS boys soccer
Wheatland Union High leads the area at No. 29 in the section after its 4-0 win over Lindhurst, a top-50 representative in Thursday's MaxPreps rankings.
The Pirates are 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the Pioneer Valley League heading into a home showdown with 2-0 Twelve Bridges Monday at 6:15 p.m. at WUHS's new artificial turf.
Yuba City has won three of five matches to begin 2023-24 to rank 53rd this week in the SJS.
The Honkers host top-100 River Valley (1-2-2) Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in a CVC contest.
The top-4 are Davis,. Jesuit, Oak Ridge and Inderkum — the latter both YC and RV play twice in league starting in January.
