Boys lacrosse ends season fourth in Bay League, fails to qualify for CIF playoffs

By Camille Juton
Staff Writer

For the last several months, the Mira Costa boys lacrosse team has been battling both with coach changes and one of the most competitive leagues in the state. Despite efforts, the boys’ season ended on April 26 with an 11-10 loss to
Peninsula High School at Peninsula. The Mustangs finished fourth in Bay League.

“We may not have gone as far during this season, but we all put 100 percent effort into our last game,” senior midfielder and co-captain Michael Whinfrey said. “It’s sad to know my high school lacrosse career is over, but I feel like we really grew as a team and as individuals this year.”

The game against Peninsula started off evenly matched, as both teams came out strong. However, the absence of senior defenders Shayan Ghafouri and Jeremy Silva greatly affected Costa’s play.

“We were competing for the number-two spot,” senior attacker Mark Matsushima said. “Not having two of our best defenders proved to be a real struggle.”

Junior attacker Jake Provencher and senior midfielder Clay Russert led the team in goals, scoring a total of three goals throughout the game. Sophomore attacker Sam Dunbar and Whinfrey each scored a goal to advance Costa’s effort, but Peninsula kept up until the game ended at 10-10 going into overtime. Peninsula quickly scored a goal in sudden death, ending the game at 11-10.

“If we had won this game we would have made it to the playoffs,” Ghafouri said. “It’s hard to deal with knowing they simply won on a lucky overtime goal.”

Costa’s defense stayed strong until Peninsula’s final goal in overtime. Senior midfielder Alec Hoag won 17 of the 25 faceoffs he participated in throughout the game, and freshman goalie John VanSickle saved 20 of Peninsula’s 31 shots on the goal.

“Both teams came out hard, and we fought back and fourth for the whole game,” Whinfrey said. “Although it is tough to lose in sudden-death overtime, I am glad we went down fighting.”

For 18 of the 28 varsity players, the loss to Peninsula was their last high school lacrosse game. Regardless of the loss, the Mustangs are proud of the season and look forward to 2014.

“Our season could’ve been better if we played to our full potential,” Ghafouri said. “Overall, it was a blast being able to play my last year with a great group. I’m happy with the performance we had this year.”