It was an exciting and bold 2016 season for Metro Conference girls lacrosse teams as they made history with an all-South County CIF final. Otay Ranch edged Eastlake, 6-5, to capture the Division II championship.
The east side Chula Vista rivals met three times last season: Otay Ranch won all three by a combined difference of three goals. Two games went to overtime.
Both teams are back in action this season and look as strong as ever.
Eastlake defeated host Castle Park, 15-0, on Monday to improve to 8-1 on the season, 5-1 in league play.
Otay Ranch entered the week 6-0 in league play, 7-3 overall. The Lady Mustangs have defeated their league foes so far this season by a combined score of 85-20.
Eastlake’s lone loss this season: to Otay Ranch, 10-8, to face off league play on March 15.
The teams rematch Monday at Eastlake High School. Varsity action is slated to start at 6 p.m.
The goals remain the same this season.
“To win league and advance in the Division I CIF playoffs,” explained EHS coach Robert Blas, who is in his eighth season coaching the sport.
Cori Montero and Kika Funk led the Lady Titans in the win over Castle Park by each scoring three goals and one assist. Both girls scored their goals on three shots apiece.
Janelle Fortuno contributed a goal and assist while eight players each scored one goal: Erika Farrage, Alyssa Uribe, Yuleni Zendejas, Andie Araos, Sam Ortiz, Glo Hinojosa, Ariana Lorenzana and Tiva Krahenbuhl. Katherine Lumahan was credited with one assist.
Hinojosa recorded the shutout win by stopping the only shot she faced. She has recorded four shutouts in nine games played this season.
Funk leads the team with 22 goals and five assists. She’s followed on the score sheet by Montero (19 goals, one assist) and Araos (11 goals, eight assists).
Blas calls his squad “all-around strong, just very young.”
“We only start three seniors, with four juniors and five sophomores,” he said. “Definitely, the goalkeeping position will be our main strength.”
Midfielders Funk and Montero are both sophomores, as is Farrage, another midfielder.
Attackers Araos and Fortuno are both juniors, as is newcomer Katie Carroll and goalie standout Hinojosa.
Seniors include Krahenbuhl, Jessica Wilder and Maria Boccia.
Hinojosa, the team’s co-MVP last season, earned first team all-league honors in 2016; Krahenbuhl was a second team all-league selection.
Horse power
Brooke Greene leads Otay Ranch in season scoring with 22 goals and 10 assists. She’s followed by Bridgett Greene with 21 goals and seven assists. Kelly Stansel has 13 goals and six assists to her credit this season.
Brooke Greene is a sophomore; Bridgett Greene is a junior. Both players earned first team all-league recognition last year.
Brooke Greene leads the team defensively with 13 ground balls.
