Otay Ranch’s girls lacrosse team all but assured itself of sole possession of this year’s Metro Conference title after defeating Bonita Vista and Eastlake by respective scores of 11-6 and 13-11 in their latest two games.
The Mustangs took an 8-1 halftime lead on the Barons in the teams’ May 6 match-up at ORHS in a battle of teams that shared last year’s inaugural league title. Brianna Hannes led the hosts with four goals while Tuyet Cam and Allie Allwein each scored twice and Elaine Manalo, Renee Jung and Melissa Li each scored once.
BV’s Mailyn Nishiguchi made seven saves but it wasn’t enough to keep the visitors in the game. Ashley Ada and Nadia Cruz each scored two goals for the Barons, who also received single goals from Sarah Lim and Jessica Brewton.
Daniella Dumas was credited with nine goalie saves for Otay Ranch.
The Mustangs had to work a bit harder for Monday’s win at Eastlake to overcome an early 3-1 Titan lead. The game was tied 11-11 before Otay Ranch pulled out the victory with the final two goals of the game.
Monday’s dramatic win pushed Otay Ranch’s league record to 9-0, 12-4 overall.
League champions receive automatic entry into the playoffs
Hannes keyed the Mustangs with six goals and one assist while Jung contributed two goals and one assist and Cam and Allwein each scored two goals. Dumas had eight saves.
For the season, Hannes has scored 60 goals, while Cam had 52 goals, Jung 28 goals and Michelle Garcia 27 goals.
Erika Hashimoto and Jenna Garcia led Eastlake (4-4, 4-4) with two goals each.
“Our team came out really big (against Bonita Vista) – we didn’t want to share the banner like we did last year,” Otay Ranch co-coach Adrian Rodriguez said. “We’re getting ready for the playoffs now.”
This marks the second consecutive year the Mustangs will represent the South County in post-season competition. Bettering last year’s 14-1 loss to La Costa Canyon will be on order this season.
Meanwhile, Bonita Vista rebounded with a last-minute 8-7 victory over Hilltop on Monday as Lim scored the game-winning goal with 44 seconds to play. The goal was Lim’s third of the game. Ada and Lauren Miranda each scored twice for the Barons (4-2, 8-7). Nicci Coyle led Hilltop (4-5, 4-10) with a pair of goals.
On the boys side, Otay Ranch moved closer to making it official as this year’s league champion by defeating visiting Chula Vista, 18-0, on Monday and, in the process, record its 10th consecutive victory. The Mustangs (11-5 overall) improved to 10-0 in league play with two league games remaining. Eastlake (9-2, 12-4) remained two games back in the loss column after topping fledgling Mar Vista, 11-4, on Monday.
Bonita Vista (6-4, 10-6) moved into sole possession of third place in the league standings after defeating host Montgomery, 14-5, on Monday.
Hilltop (5-5, 8-8) is in fourth place, followed by Montgomery (4-6, 4-11), Chula Vista (208, 4-12) and Mar Vista (0-11, 1-13).
Regular season play in both boys and girls lacrosse ends May 18. Once again, teams will play in a single enrollment division. First-round play is scheduled to start May 21, followed by the quarterfinals on May 22 and semifinals on May 25. The section finals are scheduled May 27 at a site to be announced.
