Girls Lacrosse defeated Mission Viejo with a final score of 17-12 on March 1. This was the team’s fifth preseason game, and their current record is 3-2.

“I felt like this game was really good for us,” senior captain Zoe Saito said. “It was a great win and everything really came together on the field. You could definitely start to feel the team’s chemistry beginning to work, and the outcome was incredible.” 

By halftime, the team was able to score an impressive 11 goals, but Mission Viejo remained in striking distance, trailing by only four goals.

After much preparation, the girls were ready to play a tough match against Mission Viejo, which placed first in their own league last year. There were many key players that contributed to this win, including junior Kelly Tou. 

“Kelly Tou stepped up and scored a lot of goals, which gave us a lot of confidence in the game,” senior Emilia Carrion said. 

Coach Martin Stibolt attributed the win to the team’s hard work all across the field. Of the 17 goals scored, 12 of them were assisted by the offensive line, who moved the ball around the field throughout the game. 

The team has come a long way since the start of the year. The players have created a bond that makes a noticeable, positive impact on the field. Also, because 13 players graduated last year, many players on the current team are new to the varsity level and have had to learn to play at a quicker, more competitive level.

“The way our defense has solidified and come together has been remarkable,” Stibolt said. “Watching their progress has been nothing short of remarkable. The team also has a balanced offense . . . [whereas] a lot of other programs rely on one or two goal scorers, but we average around six different goal scorers each game.” 

The team looks to continue its momentum in its next game on March 11 versus El Dorado.