The Mar Vista Mariners visited the Hilltop Lancers for a novel seven-on-seven boys lacrosse game on Monday.
Normally, games are played 10 per side but with low participation numbers on some teams, it’s a way to still get in a game experience.
The lower numbers on the field created more space for offensive runs and more physicality as a result. It was as much fun to watch as it was to participate in.
“We don’t have any subs,” Mar Vista coach Luis Neria said. “My boys play as hard as they can. They play their hearts out.”
After a 2-2 halftime draw, the host Lancers wound up winning by a score of 6-2.
“It was a big difference from the first time we played them (an 11-3 Hilltop win on March 11),” Neria said. “They already had eight goals in the first quarter.”
Missael Vasquez and Porter Fielding both scored first-half goals for the Mariners (0-5 in league, 0-7 overall) while Gilbert Solis notched 10 goalie saves.
Fernando Mendoza keyed Hilltop with three goals while Isaac Meza, Joel Ayden Bergara and Kayden Manzo each scored one goal. Isaac Medrano was credited with seven goalie saves.
Both teams are looking to continue building their respective programs. Mar Vista was unable to finish last season but should be on pace to complete a 12-game league schedule.
Overall, Sweetwater district schools are fielding eight boys lacrosse teams this season — seven at the varsity level (Bonita Vista, Eastlake, Hilltop, Mater Dei Catholic, Mar Vista, Olympian and Otay Ranch) and one club team (San Ysidro).
“It’s been up and down — it’s not been the same since COVID,” veteran Hilltop coach Pete Bishop said. “That killed our junior varsity program. Club opportunities also took a dive.”
Growth is already apparent. Only five varsity teams participated in league play last season.
“It’s going to take a while,” Bishop said. “Eventually we’ll have a JV team again. But it will take more kids (coming in) at the ninth-grade level.
“You gotta have (youth) clubs. The problem is that kids play opposite Little League. In high school, track and field is another option.”
San Diego Section Prep Rankings
Baseball
(MaxPreps through April 15)
- St. Augustine 16-2, 2. Torrey Pines 13-5, 3. Granite Hills 12-4, 4. Patrick Henry 15-5, 5. Cathedral Catholic 14-4, 6. Rancho Bernardo 12-4, 7. Carlsbad 9-7, 8. San Marcos 11-4, 9. Eastlake 12-5, 10. Maranatha Christian 15-4, 11. Bonita Vista 12-5-1, 12. Del Norte 11-6, 13. Sage Creek 11-6, 14. Santa Fe Christian 12-4, 15. Pt. Loma 10-5-3
Softball
(MaxPreps through April 15)
- Del Norte 13-1, 2. Poway 12-4-1, 3. Mater Dei Catholic 17-2, 4. Cathedral Catholic 12-4, 5. Torrey Pines 13-3-2, 6. Eastlake 12-4, 7. Imperial 16-2-1, 8. Christian 13-4-1, 9. Rancho Bernardo 10-5-1, 10. Mission Hills 10-3-2, 11. Bonita Vista 10-7-1, 12. Santa Fe Christian 9-0-1, 13. La Costa Canyon 13-6, 14. Carlsbad 10-7, 15. Patrick Henry 11-7
boys volleyball standings
Metro-mesa League: Bonita Vista 4-0, 21-5; Eastlake 4-1, 20-9; Otay Ranch 3-2, 16-8; Mar Vista 1-4, 17-13; Hilltop 0-5, 7-18
Metro-south bay League: Sweetwater 2-0, 16-9-1; Olympian 1-0, 16-8; Chula Vista 0-1, 4-16; Mater Dei Catholic 0-2, 20-9
Metro-pacific League: Montgomery 2-0, 15-12; San Ysidro 1-1, 16-7; Southwest 1-1, 9-12; Castle Park 0-2, 4-11
