Soccer Game Preview: Granite Bay vs. Cardinal Newman

The Granite Bay Grizzlies will take on the Cardinal Newman Cardinals at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Granite Bay's last four matchups have been decided by no more than a goal, so don't be surprised if it's a close one.

Granite Bay is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Tuesday. Their defense stepped up to hand Homestead a 1-0 shutout. Given the Grizzlies' advantage in MaxPreps' California soccer rankings (they are ranked 17th, while the Mustangs are ranked 83rd), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Granite Bay's one-goal win came courtesy of Ella Griffin, who's now up to six this season.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Newman entered their tilt with Twelve Bridges on Tuesday with four consecutive wins , and they'll enter their next game with five. They blew past the Raging Rhinos 4-1.

Granite Bay has been performing well recently as they've won four of their last five games. That's provided a nice bump to their 9-8 record this season. Cardinal Newman's win bumped their record up to 12-10.