Girls’ Lacrosse: CdM running away with PCL race
Like Jensen Coop on one of her length-of-the-field runs, the Corona del Mar High girls’ lacrosse team appears to be in full stride after the first round of Pacific Coast League play.
The Sea Kings, similar to Coop, created separation when they needed to in a 13-8 Pacific Coast League home triumph over Beckman on Monday.
The victory lifted CdM to 7-4, 5-0 in league, while Beckman, which has won or shared each of the eight PCL titles, is now 7-6, 4-2.
Beckman, which was 75-3 against league foes the previous eight years (since the PCL was formed in 2009), has now lost twice to CdM in 12 days, including an 11-10 Sea Kings’ triumph at Beckman on March 22.
The Sea Kings, who shared the PCL crown with the Patriots in 2016 and 2014, continued their strong bid for their first outright PCL championship by rallying from a 4-1 deficit Monday.
Senior Kennedy Mulvaney converted from free position with 10:32 left in the first half to spark a 3-0 CdM run, though the Patriots scored in the final 47 seconds to claim a 5-4 halftime lead.
But CdM, which scored four breakaway goals, three of those by Coop, netted the first four goals of the second half to take command.
Beckman closed to within 8-7 with 9:51 left in the game, but the hosts went on a 4-0 surge to close out their most impressive league win.
“I think we really came together as a team today,” said the San Diego State-bound Coop, who wrapped an ice bag around her swollen right ankle immediately after producing a game-best five goals. “In the past couple of games, it’s been go, go, go, with everyone trying to win as individuals. Today, we played better as a team and looked to each other, instead of to ourselves.”
Coop, who said she sprained the ankle recently, scored CdM’s first goal from free position (starting unobstructed eight meters from the goal, similar to a penalty kick in soccer, while defenders can break into the play when a whistle is blown).
CdM’s first four goals came off free-position situations, two by Mulvaney, who finished with four goals. Mulvaney also had one of her team’s two assists.
But Coop, who said the ankle and a hamstring injury still healing have slowed her somewhat, bolted nearly the length of the field to knot the score, 5-5, with 24:11 left in the contest.
“We really capitalized on the fast break this game, especially toward the end,” said CdM Coach Aly Simons, whose team also got a goal after a long run by sophomore defender Joslyn Simaan.
Simaan and fellow defenders Gabbi Garcia, Ashley Villariasa and Katherine Mulvaney, helped contain Beckman attackers for long stretches, while junior goalie Ashley Olson made seven saves for the winners.
Simons singled out the defensive effort of Villariasa, who while filling in for senior captain Katie McCabe (illness) on a defense already without senior Emma Scott (knee injury), helped create 17 Beckman turnovers, five more than CdM’s total.
“That was the first complete game Villariasa played and she stayed with everyone out there,” Simons said. “Our [defensive lineup] was different, so I’m really proud we were able to conform and be strong defensively,” Simons said. “And that includes our midfield.”
CdM is clearly ahead of the PCL field halfway through the league campaign.
Twitter: @BarryFaulkner5
