Viking defender Nate Ryan (39) closely guards
Tyler Reinecke (20) of Del Norte in closing
minutes. (Photos by Ed Piper)
By Ed Piper
From the opening minutes, when La Jolla's offense showed patience and controlled the ball leading up to its first score eight minutes into the match, the Vikings dominated Del Norte to take home an 11-5 win and the CIF Division 2 boys lacrosse title Sat., May 22, at Granite Hills High School.
La Jolla built a 5-1 lead midway through the second quarter, behind a pair of goals by Alex Berry and senior Tanner Watson. After seeing their lead dwindle to only two, at 5-3, early in the third quarter, Coach Tom Duerr's squad went up 8-3 late in the period and never led by less than four goals down the stretch. Senior Mike Elliot's second score and Berry's third were keys in the third.
The Nighthawks' Luke Welch was a virtual one-man show for the opposition with four goals.
In the first half, play between the two teams became increasingly physical, as the officials let play go. But late in the half, after two opponents went flying over each other near the east sideline, officials stepped in to call a foul and play was cleaner after that.
The nail in the coffin was Oee Wintringer's goal on an assist by Elliot with 8:06 left in the match. That put La Jolla up 9-4 and basically broke the back in Del Norte's fight. The Vikings sailed home from there, adding goals by seniors Connor Usselman, his second, and Kyle Jetter.
At the closing horn, Viking players streamed out to where freshman goalie Morgan "Mogie" Watson was, jumping onto a dog pile to celebrate their CIF championship. A father yelled "Get out the clippers" from the stands as La Jolla players doffed their helmets to reveal uneven haircuts on several players that, apparently, were to be altered after the title game.
Viking players, including senior Connor
Usselman (44), pile on after the 11-5 win
for the title.
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