Each game this season the Eastlake High School boys lacrosse team presents a gilded ball to its “player of the game.” Junior Christian Ballow was the latest recipient of the prized trophy after leading the Titans to a 15-7 Metro Conference victory at Bonita Vista on Monday.
Ballow scored four goals in the first half en route to collecting five for the game as defending Metro champion Eastlake improved to 2-0 in conference play.
“We’ve won four in a row now – we’re right on track,” EHS coach Nestor Rosas said. “We’ve got one non-league game left (against Monte Vista on May 14) and otherwise it’sjust about getting through league.”
The Titans (5-2) led 9-4 at halftime and reeled off the opening five goals of the second half to build a commanding 14-4 lead. Eastlake scored just 38 seconds into the third quarter to kill any momentum the host Barons hoped to generate.
Michael Oleata, Jacob Dempsey, Zach Bannon, David Santana and Jeff Duncan each scored single goals in the first half for the visitors while Felipe Cardenas scored two goals and Steven Contreras and C.J. Hynes each scored once for BV.
Dempsey and Bannon each had two second-half goals while Santana added another.
“They came out and played us just like Hilltop did with a ball possession-oriented game,” said Rosas, whose team edged Mt. Carmel, 9-8, in a key non-league encounter on April 2. “But after a while we got our fast-break going.”
The loss was the second consecutive for the Barons, who fell, 13-4, to Granite Hills in a non-league game on April 1. Bonita Vista (4-3 overall) saw its league record dip to 1-1 after facing off Metro play with a 15-0 win at conference newcomer Mar Vista on March 15.
Contreras, Cardenas and Kyle Cruz were each credited with second-half goals for the Barons.
Metro Conference standings (through April 6): Eastlake 2-0 (5-2), Otay Ranch 2-0 (3-5), Chula Vista 1-0 (3-4), Bonita Vista 1-1 (4-3), Montgomery 0-1 (0-5), Hilltop 0-2 (3-5), Mar Vista 0-2 (1-2)
