Boys lacrosse loses in second round CIF, finishes season with newfound chemistry

By Hannah Proctor
Staff Writer

Despite ending the season with a losing overall record of 7-8, the Mira Costa boys’ lacrosse team maintained a winning Bay League record of 5-3 and a positive outlook on the overall season after losing to Westlake May 3.

Costa had a lead of 5-2 in the beginning of the game against Westlake. The Mustangs appeared to be in control.

“I’m really happy with how we started the game,” senior Chris O’Brien said. “We thought we were on the right track since Johnny [Goodlad] was making good saves and we were getting around on offense. It was tough at the end since we kind of got worn-out and Westlake kept scoring.”

As the game progressed, Costa began to fall behind but worked hard to not let Westlake take too large of a lead. The game ended with a score of 15-11.

“I’m proud that we fought through the whole game and didn’t just roll over when Westlake came back and took the lead,” O’Brien said. “We kept playing hard and scoring and gave them a battle until the last whistle.”

Although Costa lost to Westlake in its final playoff game, it was able to defeat Harvard Westlake in the first round, 13-8.

“I thought we had a pretty good season,” coach Chris Jewett said. “We had a quality win against Harvard Westlake and ended up losing to a really good team.”

The team struggled a lot in the beginning of the season in terms of team chemistry that hindered its game. By the end of the season, though, the Mustangs were able to pull together and develop a strong bond.

“Overall I wasn’t as happy with the season as I thought I would be,” senior Dakota Randall said. “I expected us to go further. I do, however, think we developed as a team toward the end of the year and improved our chemistry.”

The Mustangs’ goal is to continue to improve and advance farther in CIF next year.

“I think based on preseason expectations the season wasn’t so hot, but the finish of the season was good,” O’Brien said. “We’re really glad we won a game in the CIF playoffs and lost in a tough and close game and we didn’t just roll over.”