Los Alamitos 19, Varsity 4 (Playoffs)

Trabuco Hills Girls Lacrosse Varsity ended their 2013 season in Los Alamitos with a tough US Lacrosse second-round playoff loss Thursday against the three-time reigning Southern Section champions.  

The Griffins charged out to an early lead with three goals in the first three minutes. On the fourth draw of the game the Mustangs gained control of the ball and diligently worked the ball up field.  Hope Dodd opened up the scoring for the Mustangs, making it 3-1, Los Al, 5 minutes into the contest.

But unlike Tuesday’s first-round playoff victory over Corona del Mar, there was no recovery from a slow start for Trabuco Hills. The balance of the first half at Los Al frustrated the Mustangs, as they got very little possession time and the remaining offensive action was all for Los Al’s benefit. The half ended with the Mustangs trailing 12-1.

The second half didn’t start off positively for the Mustangs, as they surrendered 6 consecutive goals. With the team now behind 18–1, the Mustangs dug deep and determined not to end the game without showing Los Al their will.  

The Mustangs hustled to gain possession and Dodd contributed her second goal of the game to make it 18–2. After a lengthy stand on defense where the Griffins possessed the ball but were kept from scoring for nearly 5 full minutes, a free position shot gave Los Al their final goal of the game.

The Mustangs were not ready to give up and in the final three minutes Hannah Redwine found Melanie Leong in front of the net and she tallied the Mustangs’ 3rd goal of the game. The Mustangs continued to play hard in the final minute and worked the ball to the front of the Los Al net where a wild scramble ensued and Leong was able to find the loose ball and bury it for the final score of the game.  

Although this was a tough loss the Mustangs have a lot to be proud of for the 2013 season.  Finishing with an 12-6-2 record overall, making their seventh consecutive US Lacrosse playoff appearance — then advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

It’s worth noting that a giant crowd of friends and families of the players were on hand supporting our Lady Mustangs.  Thank you for all the terrific support at all the 2013 games both home and away.  

And, thank you Mustangs and coaches Leong and Ransom for an exhilarating season.

Trivia note: In 2009, the Mustangs defeated Corona del Mar in the first round of the playoffs, only to lose in the next round to … Los Al, by 15 goals.