Aliso Niguel 11, Varsity 10

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This time, the rally fell short.

Trabuco Hills Girls Lacrosse Varsity dug another deep hole at Aliso Niguel, falling behind 5-0 within 10 minutes of the Sea View League opener. Like last year’s title-clincher win, the Mustangs then engaged in a furious rally. Unlike last year, Trabuco fell short, losing 11-10.

Down by 5, Hope Dodd got the Mustangs on the scoreboard — but the host Wolverines responded with a goal. Then Jessie Papageorge’s scored three straight (assists Alyssa Ransom and Niki Neeley); and Hannah Redwine scored from Rachel Lansner and it was 6-5 within three minutes. The team traded goals before half (another Papageorge’s score) and it was 7-6 at the break.

After intermission, the teams again traded goals (Melanie Leong for the Mustangs_ and it was 8-7 Aliso before the hosts scored three straight. It was 11-7 with 14 minutes left. The Wolverines never scored again — but that was enough. Goals by Redwine, Papageorge and Alex Miller brough Trabuco within one, but a feverish last-minute rush couldn’t net the equalizer.

Record: 5-4, 0-1 Sea View.

Notes: Ransom picked up four ground balls. She was this week’s O.C. Register Player of the Week! Lansner, Papageorge’s and Redwine had three ground balls; Neeley and Redwine had 3 takeaways. Cyrena Malkowski had 6 saves. … Emily Elkins had six goals for Aliso. … Trabuco had won the previous 5 matches between the schools including last year’s thrilling 9-7 comeback win (Mustangs trailed 6-0 at half!)

Next up: Capistrano Valley, at Trabuco, Thursday.