Mater Dei 13, Varsity 12

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Oh-so-close, one final time.

Trabuco Hills Girls Lacrosse Varsity made a spirited end-game rally in their first-round US Lacrosse Southern Section playoff match in Santa Ana, but ended up — for the sixth game this spring — short a goal. Final score: Mater Dei 13, Mustangs 12.

Trabuco started out strong, dominating early play. After 15 minutes, the Mustangs were ahead, 4-2, on two goals by Jessie Papageorge’s; one by Megan McIntyre (from Hannah Redwine) and another from Lexi Witkin (from Papegeorge’s). Then 5th-ranked Mater Dei went to work, scoring five unanswered goals to take a 7-4 lead. Another Papageorge’s goal brought it to 7-5 at half.

After the break, Mater Dei gained the upper hand. Despite goals from Jackie Huse, Witkin and Redwine — Mater Dei built a 13-8 advantge with 10 minutes left. Then, it got interesting.

With 6:45 remaining, McIntyre scored from Redwine. At 3:17, Justine Tobias scored, assist Rachel Lansner. With 1:04, Witkin scored. It was 13-11 — and 17 seconds later, Alex Miller’s goal — from Lansner — made it 13-12.

Trabuco got one last chance. Witkin was awarded a free position shot. Who better? She had already gone 2-for-2 on these shots on the night — and was 9-for-11 on the season. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Mater Dei’s goalie made her 22nd save of the night. And the season was over.

Record: 10-10, 6th consecutive non-losing season. (9 of the losses by total of 13 goals!)

Notes:  Witkin and Redwine each had 4 ground ball pickups; Alyssa Ransom and Niki Neeley had 3 a piece. … Redwine had 3 draw controls … Papageorge’s and Witkin each had two takeaways. Cyrena Malkowski had 5 saves.

Next up: Team banquet, May 15!