The UHS Boys’ Lacrosse team defeated Trabuco Hills High School 7-4 on Feb. 25 in their third home game of the season. The victory, through their defensive stops and late offensive goals, improved the Trojans’ record to 2-1 on the season.
The Trojans scored first at the 11:37 mark of the first period when senior Finn Gallagher’s shot hit the back of the net. After the goal, both teams shifted gears, focusing on long possessions and relying on their goalkeepers to make vital saves. With 43 seconds remaining, Trabuco Hills tied the game, putting the pressure back on the Trojans. The Trojans’ offense reflected the fast pace of the first quarter.
“From an offensive player’s perspective, the game feels very quick,” Gallagher said. “When the boys are passing the ball around, avoiding the defense and scoring goals, time flies by. It’s all instinct when you get the ball and drive to the goal.”
In the second period, the Trojans created separation when Aiden Fazeli scored with 3:58 remaining, shifting the momentum back to UHS and sending them into halftime up 2-1. However, Trabuco Hills opened the third quarter hungry for a goal and tied the game for the second time at 5:28. UHS then responded with goals from senior captain Kaj Martiny and Gallagher, giving them a 4-2 lead.
“You feel a sense of flow state and concentration,” Gallagher said. “Our performance stems from being able to make correct decisions in that flow state and out-hustle the opponent.”
The fourth quarter brought another surge from Trabuco Hills, who scored twice at 8:30 and 6:30 to tie the game at 4–4. UHS answered with its strongest offensive attack of the night, scoring three consecutive goals; Martiny gave the Trojans the lead at 4:19, followed by a goal from Fazeli less than 10 seconds later. Junior attackman Graham Pretto then added a goal of his own with 2:14 left in the game. This late flurry of goals from the Trojans helped them seal the game and walk away with a 7–4 victory. The Trojans attribute their late push to coming together and believing in one another.
“We trusted each other as a team and kept the ball moving,” sophomore Tim Kim said. “Once we were calm and played together, the game started to pick up.”
UHS will look to build on its victory as the season continues, preparing for a possible CIF run. The Trojans’ first league game, signifying the end of preseason matches, will be on the road on March 23 against the Portola Bulldogs.
