SOUTHERN SECTION SOCCER PLAYOFFS : Depth Favors Century League

Before the girls’ soccer playoffs, there was no doubt the best teams in the Century League were among the strongest in the Southern Section Division II.

El Modena and Canyon, seeded third and fourth, were among the favorites to win the title. But Foothill is helping to show how deep the league is.

The third-place Knights, who hadn’t reached the playoffs since 1988-89, won two playoff games last week, including a 3-0 upset of Moore League champion Long Beach Wilson, to join El Modena and Canyon in today’s second round.

The Century League is the only league in the division with three teams remaining and one of only three in the section.

At 3 p.m. today, Foothill (11-8-3) plays host to Rio Hondo League champion South Pasadena. Canyon (13-2-4) plays at Laguna Hills (13-7-3) and El Modena (19-5-1) plays at Sonora (11-8-3).

Canyon Coach Matt Kinney said Century League teams have an advantage in the postseason because even fourth-place Villa Park was ranked No. 9 in the division going into the last week of the season. “We’ve been in playoff-like games for the last month,” Kinney said.

Canyon, which has given up only seven goals this season, should get a tough test from Laguna Hills, which has a 10-game unbeaten string and has given up only one goal during that span.