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    Michael Huntley breaks down the boys and girls CIF-SS lacrosse playoffs
    • April 30, 2023

    Last year, Orange County lacrosse teams won CIF Southern Sections championships in boys Divisions 1 and 2 and in girls Division 1 and 2.

    This is the first year that CIF-SS used the Massey computer ratings to build the playoff pairings, and it appears that there will be much more competitive games in the early rounds in Division 1.

    The most notable first-round matchup in boys Division 1 is between two of the county’s powerhouse programs, St. Margaret’s and Foothill. If someone told me in the preseason that these two programs would be playing for the CIF championship, I would not have been surprised. Instead, we will see one of these elite programs eliminated in the first round Thursday.

    I am sure neither coach is happy about such a challenging opening matchup, but it beats what we have had the last two seasons with 10-goal margins of victory in first-round games.

    Foothill has been a runner-up in both seasons since the playoffs have been under the CIF umbrella. Luke Fox is a county player of the year candidate with 106 points. Foothill does not have a star goalie like they have had the past couple of years, but they are just as good on offense with Fox, Jackson Hines and Connor Pietras.

    St. Margaret’s has the best college prospect in the county with Penn commit Austin Hicks. Owen Binder is also an elite scorer for the Tartans.

    JSerra vs. Trabuco Hills is also an intriguing round one matchup. JSerra is hot and coming off a big win recently over Servite. Jack Neiger has been great at goalie and Jack Almy is one of the top offensive players in the Trinity League.

    Trabuco Hills blew through the South Coast League and beat JSerra 12-8 in the season opener. Darrell Curtis and Jack Armstrong are good scorers for the Mustangs and Tristan Bassett is one of the top face-off specialists in the county.

    Aliso Niguel is the No. 2 seed in Division 2 and is the defending champion in that division. Tommy Smith is one of the better sophomores in the county and CJ Bessuzi is an experienced goalie. The Wolverines will host Yorba Linda in round one.

    The two biggest threats to Aliso Niguel’s attempt to repeat as champions are Santiago of Corona and San Juan Hills. The Wolverines are 3-0 against those teams this season but San Juan Hills nearly beat them in the Sea View League championship game. Duke Devault has 112 points for the Stallions.

    Woodbridge and Canyon is a fun county matchup in the first round of Division 3. Canyon beat Yorba Linda for the first time in school history to get a second-place finish in the Crestview League. Woodbridge tied for third in the Pacific Coast League and beat Beckman for the first time in school history this season.

    In the girls lacrosse playoffs:

    Foothill has won both CIF Division 1 championships and is once again the heavy favorite in Division 1. The Knights are more balanced on offense this season with no star scorer, but they have a good trio of Mia Marchetti, Tatum Walshe and Kayla Agarie. Mikayla Yang is a three-year starter at goalie for Foothill.

    St. Margaret’s vs. Santa Margarita is the only Division 1 first-round game between Orange County teams. Lauren Lam leads the Tartans with 99 points and Minka Martinez has 75 points.

    San Clemente dominated the South Coast League with twins Sophia and Charlotte Yeskulsky. Emma Massamiri is a good senior for the Tritons who is second on the team in points and the leader in caused turnovers.

    Murrieta Mesa is the top seed in Division 2, but there are quality county teams in the field.

    Corona del Mar nearly beat Division 1 Edison for the Sunset League championship. Frankie Garcia and Abby Grace both have over 100 points and Garcia hit the 200 career goals milestone last week.

    Mater Dei is an intriguing Division 2 team. It was competitive against Santa Margarita in the Trinity League championship game. Kate Caffarelli leads the Monarchs and Juliana Stepanoff is one of the better defenders in the county.

    Portola is the top seed in Division 3 and is the only county team with just one loss. Jadyn Zdanavage hits a new scoring milestone every week and is a four-sport athlete. Jadyn Kohan is also a capable scorer for the Bulldogs.

    El Toro is a sleeper team in Division 3 despite having to play in a wild-card round game. Emily Doane leads the team in scoring and Megan Klepacki was All-County last season. Mikayla Sims is a very good goalie who kept the Chargers competitive in the tough South Coast League.

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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