FRESNO — In a return trip to the Div. I Central Section semifinals, the No. 3 Madera boys soccer team was looking for some redemption after falling one win short of a Valley Championship appearance in last season’s playoff run.
Just like in last year’s 3-1 upset home loss to the Liberty-Bakersfield Patriots, the Coyotes (18-5-5) were denied a spot in the title game after losing a 2-0 match to the No. 2 Central-Fresno Grizzlies on Wednesday night in Deran Koligan Stadium.
The two-time defending Tri-River Athletic champion Grizzlies (15-6-3, 6-3-1) were also looking to make amends from last season’s home semifinal stumble in a 2-0 loss to reigning champion Buchanan-Clovis.
Against the Coyotes, Central received a first half goal from junior striker Dylan Rusconi before Jesus Paz scored with 22 minutes remaining in the game. The Grizzlies will host No. 8 Clovis West in Friday’s section finals...