In a history-making event for girls athletics in the Metro Conference, the Otay Ranch Lady Mustangs defeated the Eastlake Lady Titans, 6-5, to capture the San Diego Section Division II championship in girls lacrosse in last Saturday’s finals at San Dieguito Academy.
It was the first time two local teams qualified for the section’s girls lacrosse finals.
And the teams didn’t leave their league rivalry down south. For the third meeting this season, the outcome of the game was decided by one goal. The only difference in the third match-up last Saturday was that the game did not go to overtime.
The Lady Mustangs won all three games this season, ultimately to crown themselves queens of the pitch.
Understandably, Otay Ranch players immediately became media darlings.
“I didn’t imagine us coming up here this season, but I’m really glad that we did and I’m really glad we can hang that banner up in our gym,” Otay Ranch junior Brooke Greene told a KUSI-TV news crew on site.
The Lady Mustangs finished their amazing season with a rather imposing 20-2 record, including a 13-1 showing in league play; the Lady Titans were no slouches either with an 18-3 record, 12-2 in league play.
It was clearly a record-setting season for both programs.
Otay Ranch High School athletic director Ian Cumming called the Lady Mustangs “very talented and hard-working.”
“They built on what was an outstanding season for them last year,” Cumming acknowledged. “Coach (William) Dawson did a great job in the toughest position for any new coach. It is easy to follow a bad coach, because almost anything will seem like an improvement. However, following a great coach like coach Kyle Smith is very difficult.
“Coach Dawson was smart enough to leave many things the same and listen to the girls, while maintaining control of the team. He also worked very hard beginning even before he interviewed for the job by reading and watching an inordinate amount of articles and video of lacrosse. My hat is off to coach Dawson and his amazing group of players.”
Brooke Greene led Otay Ranch in scoring with three goals while younger sister Bridgette Greene scored twice in the game.
The contest remained close throughout. Eastlake led 3-2 at halftime.
“It was a very close game,” Eastlake High School head coach Robert Blas noted. “Overall, we had a good game. Hats off to them for winning league and Division II.
“But I’m proud of my team. This is our eighth year and we made the finals. Two years ago, my seniors were in the semis. This was, by far, Eastlake’s best girls lacrosse team to date.”
Both schools advanced to last Saturday’s championship game by capturing contests at the quarterfinal and semifinal stages of the playoffs.
In a quarterfinal game played on May 9, Otay Ranch eliminated eighth-seeded Mission Bay by a score of 13-3 while, playing the next day, Eastlake defeated 10th-seeded El Camino by a 10-5 score.
In quarterfinal match-ups on May 12, Otay Ranch defeated fourth-seeded Grossmont by a score of 10-4 in a game played at Olympian High School while host Eastlake defeated sixth-seeded Patrick Henry 10-5.
Payton Olson (three goals) and Abby Mina (two goals, one assist) led the Lady Titans in scoring in the semifinal game. Tiva Krahelbuhl and Julia Masias each scored two goals while Sasha Thrower scored one goal. Goalkeeper Gio Hinojosa made five saves on 10 shots faced.
In the quarterfinal win, Masias scored three goals while Olson and Krahelbuhl each scored two goals. Thrower, Janelle Fortuno and Jessica Wilder each scored one goal while Karina Quezada contributed two assists. Hinojosa made eight saves on 13 shots to brace the team in the net.
