Varsity 9, San Clemente 8

Fresh off spring break, the Trabuco Hills Girls Varsity Lacrosse team traveled to San Clemente to take on the Tritons in a South Coast League matchup.

The Tritons won draw control and began to move the ball down field. The Mustangs were able to regain control and Marina Sandoval scored off of a pass from Becca Haggard. Again the Tritons won draw control and moved into scoring position. Erin Beall stopped several shots and the ball began to change possession as both the Mustangs and Tritons attempted to find their rhythm. With 17 minutes left in the half the Tritons tied the game at 1-1. The Mustangs wasted no time in responding. Jackie Huse passed to Melanie Leong who fought off defenders to score bringing the Mustangs back in the lead at 2-1. The Mustangs began to return to form on defense with strong double teaming from Shelby Siano and Hannah Moller. Marina Sandoval won two ground balls and had a takeaway and kept the Mustangs on course. Jenelle Phillips scored a pair of goals along with a rifle shot from Kendall Derbyshire to put the Mustangs in control at 5-1. The half closed with the Mustangs in the lead 6-3.

The Mustangs continued their pace from the first half with another goal from Derbyshire. Huse stole the ball from the goalie for another score and the Mustangs were starting to pull away at 8-3. Slowly, the Tritons began to regain the momentum. Three unanswered goals from the Tritons put the game at 8-6. Coach Leong called a crucial timeout and refocused the Mustangs. Melanie Leong scored to put the Mustangs ahead at 9-6, but there was still over 14 minutes left in the game. The Tritons scored back to back goals and the game was at 9-8 with 7 minutes left. Becca Haggard proved to be a difference maker for the Mustangs with 4 takeaways, 5 ground balls and 2 assists on the day. The Tritons scrambled to regain control, but the Mustangs held on with short, controlled passing and won a close one, 9-8.

The Mustangs (13-2) remain atop the South Coast League with a 4-1 mark.

• Erin Beall had 10 saves with 4 coming from the free position.
• Goal scorers of the game were: Jenelle Phillips (3), Melanie Leong (2), Kendall Derbyshire (2), Marina Sandoval (1) and Jackie Huse (1)
• Next up the Mustangs travel to Tesoro for a 5:30 game on 4/29