ALISO VIEJO – Midfielder Spencer Taylor has had plenty of big goals in his career with the Mission Viejo lacrosse team.
But none were bigger than the one he scored Thursday night.
Taylor scored 3:34 into the sudden-death overtime to lead the Diablos to a 13-12 victory over Dana Hills in the U.S. Lacrosse Division 2 title game in front of 911 fans at Aliso Niguel High.
“This is what I’ve been waiting for and I wanted this and I was going to take it,” Taylor said. “This is my biggest goal.
“We couldn’t be happier as a team. This is what we’ve been working for all season and we finally got it.”
Taylor helped Mission Viejo (12-8) advance to face Loyola on Saturday at 4:45 p.m. in the Southern Section Division 2 final at Redondo Union.
“He’s coming up on 70 goals for the season, he’s a real All-American candidate and he’s looking to go to BYU next year,” Mission Viejo coach Ryan Brent said. “He’s easily the best lacrosse player I’ve ever coached and a great kid too.”
Taylor and Ian Nickel, who scored with six seconds left in regulation, led the Diablos with four goals each. Dana Hills (9-11) was led by Michael Paul, who scored four goals.
It was a hard-fought game with Dana Hills holding an 8-6 lead at halftime and a 9-8 lead after three quarters.
Paul scored early in the fourth quarter to put Dana Hills ahead, 10-8. But the lead didn’t last.
Alex Truman scored to put Mission Viejo ahead, 11-10, with 5:08 remaining. Logan Warren countered for Dana Hills with 4:47 to tie it. Marc Hughes then scored for Dana Hills with 4:40 left to give the Dolphins a 12-11 lead.
After some misses by both teams in the final minutes, Nickel scored the tying goal with six seconds left to send it into overtime.
Mission Viejo goalkeeper Matt Meissner made a big save early in the overtime, which Brent pointed out was critical in helping the Diablos win the game.
“It’s a shame that somebody had to lose it, but I’m glad it wasn’t us,” Brent said. “There were a ton of nerves going through both teams, but once we calmed everybody down, we were able to keep them in check a little bit. They’re still a great offensive team.”
The title was the first for Mission Viejo and Brent, who is in his second year as the coach.
“This is the second straight year we’ve made the Division 2 playoffs and there is no shame in that,” Brent said. “I’m really proud of our guys for stepping up and winning it.”
