The Eastlake High School roller hockey team is off to a 3-0 start to the 2023-24 season. While fashioning their winning streak, the Titans snapped a longer one by defending league champion Bonita Vista.
Braced by a 4-0 lead in its season debut on Dec. 6, it appeared Bonita Vista was on its way to extend its 36-game district winning streak another notch until Eastlake posted the final five goals of the game to ride to a clutch overtime victory.
Jacob Hunter faced off the game with three goals and one assist for the defending league champion Barons. But two goals by Chris Rollbusch and single tallies by Emilio Navarrete and Sidney Jonason knotted the score, 4-all, through the end of regulation.
The Titans scored twice in the second period to narrow the score to 4-2 and tied the game with two more goals in the third period.
The three-on-three sudden victory overtime looked to favor Bonita Vista early on. The Barons had a good chance for a one-on-one shot, but Andrew Madrigal couldn’t quite collect the pass and turn for a shot. Eastlake finally got the puck away from Hunter and broke the other way.
Adam Ibarra fed Navarrete on a two-on-one and that was the end to the Barons’ marathon district winning streak.
“It was just amazing,” new EHS coach Chris Rollbusch said. “It was great for us to get into overtime. Bonita Vista is a little low on numbers this season, but they still have a great team and gave us a run for the money. We won this time, but next time who knows?”
Veteran BVHS coach Keith Quigley said the Baron lineup was down to six players for Monday’s season debut because of graduation and players who did not return. He lauded the effort of those who did play and contribute.
Eastlake was braced in the net by goaltender Solana Kitamura, who posted a second- and third-period shutout to give her team a chance to record the dramatic comeback win.
The Titans subsequently defeated Hilltop, 11-1, on Dec. 6 and Otay Ranch, 9-1, on Monday to remain perfect in the new season.
The Titans subsequently defeated Hilltop, 11-1, on Dec. 7 and Otay Ranch, 9-1, on Monday to remain perfect in the new season.
Rollbusch collected six points (five goals, one assist) in the win over Hilltop while Jonason had four points (three goals, one assist). Navarrete contributed one goal and two assists.
Seven players — Ibarra, Rollbusch, Navarrete, Jonason, Riley McElroy, Avery German and Nate Tolentino — scored goals for Eastlake against Otay Ranch, including three empty-net tallies.
The loss dropped the Mustangs to 1-2 on the season following a 10-0 win over San Ysidro on Dec. 6 and an 11-4 loss to Bonita Vista on Dec. 7.
Nick Bernal keyed Otay Ranch with four goals in the loss to Bonita Vista.
“So excited for the season to start, so excited there are nine teams this year,” Otay Ranch coach Christian Welch said.
Bonita Vista began working on a new streak with an ensuing 10-0 win over Castle Park on Monday. Madrigal earned high-scorer with six points (four goals, two assists). Hunter (three goals, one assist) and Michelle McGaffey (two goals, two assists) followed.
Week 2:
CIF-Metro Conference Roller Hockey Scoreboard
Sweetwater Red Devils 1-3
