………
The Los Alamitos High girls lacrosse team rallied from a four-goal first half deficit to eventually defeat Newport Harbor, 9-8, in a Sunset League game last week at Los Alamitos High.
Katrina Lopez scored the eventual game-winning goal with just over two minutes left in the game. The Griffins were able to gain possession after the goal and burn most of the clock. Newport Harbor regained the ball with about :20 left in the game, but the Griffin defense prevented them from getting into the offensive zone.
The Griffins got off to a hot start in the second half and had trailed by as much as 6-2 in the first half. Los Alamitos coach Susan England said the Griffins got off to a slow start, but was able to stay patient and work hard to get back in the game.
They were able to score for unanswered goals to eventually tie the game, 6-6, early in the second half. Kennedi Cantrell scored the tying goal from in front of the net, after receiving a pass from Rachel Drukker from the side of the goal.
Drukker and Shannon Wynne each had two goals. Sophia Schade had a goal and two assists, while Brianna Covey, Kelly Drukker and Lopez each had a goal.
Newport Harbor was able to regain an 8-6 lead with two goals, before the Griffins fought back. Rachel Drukker scored her goal on a free possession attack from the side of the goal to cut the lead to 8-7. Schade then tied the score on a run up the right side of the goal, through the Newport defense. She fired a low shot past the goalie that tied the game, 8-8, with 3:31 left in the game.
About a minute later, Lopez found space in a crowd in front of the Newport goal and scored the game-winner. The Griffins had been struggling in recent games, so were glad to get the win. But England has been pleased with the team’s efforts.
“We’re making steady progress, we’re working hard as a team and I like the direction we’re going,” England said.
The Griffins will play at Beckman High, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12. They will be back at home on Friday April 15 against Foothill, at 6 p.m.
Los Alamitos girls lacrosse roster:
22 Lia Arambula 10 Kaelyn Bridgette 4 Emily Butao 9 Kennedi Cantrell 13 Brianna Covey 6 Riley Deutsch 14 Kelly Drukker 8 Rachel Drukker 1 Daisy Haas 20 Molly Herrera 17 Katrina Lopez
23 Mackenzie Martin 30 Kelsey McGrath 15 Kylie Otake 29 Campbell Poe 7 Madison Salter 5 Sophia Schade 16 Kelsey Schilz 25 Callie Smith 2 Shannon Wynne 3 Nicole Yonan
