JSerra-Mater Dei Boys Soccer Rivalry Continues in Open Division Playoffs

Trinity League foes meet twice this week with a spot in the CIF Southern Section championship game on the line.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The boys soccer rivalry between JSerra and Mater Dei, two of the top programs in Orange County, will continue this week in the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs. The teams will play each other twice, with the cumulative score determining which squad advances to the championship game on February 28. JSerra and Mater Dei are the past two Open Division champions, adding to the high stakes of their matchup.

Why it matters

The JSerra-Mater Dei rivalry is one of the most intense in Orange County high school sports, with the teams frequently meeting in high-leverage games. Their playoff clash this week will decide which program continues its quest for another CIF Southern Section title, making it a must-watch event for local soccer fans.

The details

JSerra (8-4-4) will host Mater Dei (14-1-3) on Tuesday at 6 p.m., with Mater Dei returning the favor on Saturday at 5 p.m. The CIF-SS is using a Champions League-style format for the Open Division playoffs, meaning the cumulative score from the two games will determine the winner. Four Orange County teams - JSerra, Mater Dei, Orange Lutheran, and Valencia - have advanced to the final four.

  • The first game between JSerra and Mater Dei will be played on Tuesday, February 18 at 6 p.m.
  • The second game between the teams will be played on Saturday, February 22 at 5 p.m.
  • The CIF Southern Section boys soccer championship game is scheduled for February 28.

The players

Sean Ganey

The head coach of the Mater Dei boys soccer team.

Erik Kirsch

The head coach of the JSerra boys soccer team.

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What they’re saying

“I'm excited to see what our group does. We've gotten better since the last time we played them at Mater Dei. I want to see where our team has gone since the last time they beat us.”

— Erik Kirsch, JSerra head coach (ocregister.com)

“This is so fun. All of our teams' kids know each other. They've all played together or against each other, and to do it again for your school in a high-leverage game is very special.”

— Sean Ganey, Mater Dei head coach (ocregister.com)

What’s next

The winner of the JSerra-Mater Dei series will advance to the CIF Southern Section Open Division championship game on February 28.

The takeaway

The JSerra-Mater Dei boys soccer rivalry has produced many memorable matchups over the years, and their upcoming playoff clash will add another chapter to the storied competition between these two Orange County powerhouses.