For a seventh consecutive season, the Torrey Pines High School boys lacrosse program lifted theCIF San Diego Section Open Division title above their heads after handily defeating La Costa Canyon 13-8 in Saturday evening’s championship game.
“To overcome some big sways, and things that were out of our control, and still win tells you alot about this team,” said Torrey Pines Coach Jono Zissi.
The two powerhouse programs weren’t shot-for-shot in the first half, with Torrey Pines grabbinga narrow 6-5 lead after the first half.
For Torrey Pines, they showcased their offensive versatility, as six different Falcons found theback of the net if the first 24 minutes of action.
Meanwhile, La Costa Canyon’s first-half offense was led by attacker Jackson Schaffer. The seniorcollected three first-half goals, helping the Mavericks keep the deficit at 6-5 heading into the half.
“We have a saying: five fingers vs. the fist. If you have five fingers and you go against the fist,the fist is going to blow that up,” Zissi said, “When you have a tight group that shares the ball and trusts each other, that is going to be the fist winning. That is what we did tonight.”
Torrey Pines would seal their seventh straight CIF open title with their play in the third quarter.
At the heart of their run were team captains John Prior and Ross Jacobsen. The duo tallied threeof the five goals in the quarter, with Jacobsen netting two and Prior logging his second goal of the day.
“We are the hardest-working team in San Diego,” said Torrey Pines captain Ross Jacobsen,“Today validates all the hard work we put in. At the end of the day, your performance falls back to your preparation, and we prepared very well.”
Division 2
San Dieguito Academy 5, Westview 1: Riding one of the best defensive performances this season in San Diego County, San Dieguito Academy cruised to win in the lowest combined goal total ever in CIF San Diego Section boys lacrosse title game history.
“It’s an amazing day,” said San Dieguito Academy coach Kyle Allen, “When I came on boardfour years ago, I wanted to accomplish three things: Win the Academy Cup, put up a league banner and hang a CIF banner.”
After allowing an opening goal to Westview in the games first four minutes, San DieguitoAcademy held Westview off the scoreboard off the scoreboard for the games final 44 minutes of play.
That was in large part because of the play in goal from Mustangs goalie Logan Reynaga. Thesenior tallied eight saves in the win.
“Everyone knew their assignment, and communicated extremely well,” he said. “I don’t think I have ever been more locked in, in my life.”
Reynaga and the rest of the San Dieguito defense became the first team to hold an opponent toone goal in a CIF title game.
Division 3
Mater Dei Catholic 10, Classical Academy 9: Led by a four-goal performance from attacker Jeremiah King, the Mater Dei boys lacrosse program clinched its first-ever CIF title.
“Four years ago, we were 2-13; we were getting beat down by everyone,” coach Andy Barrios said. “But every year since, we have gotten better and better. To finally get over the hump and bring a championship to this program is so rewarding.”
For much of the afternoon, Mater Dei struggled to slow down Classical Academy’s TJ Winters. Asthe Caimans’ sophomore tallied seven goals. That included two at the start of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 9-9.
Mater Dei’s leading scorer would respond. With 4:55 to play, King finished on a driving short-range goal from seven yards out. Putting Mater Dei up 10-9 with less than five minutes to play.
“On that last goal, I just told myself, ‘Get it to the goal and get in space,’” he said.
Added Barrios: “We always tell them, ‘How will you respond when a mistake happens? They dug deep and rose to the occasion when it mattered most.”
