The senior class on the St. Margaret’s boys lacrosse team will conclude this season having made a lasting impact on the program.
The Tartans captured their second U.S. Lacrosse Orange County championship on Wednesday and will try to win their second Southern Section title in three years Saturday when they play Palos Verdes at 12:30 p.m. at Mira Costa High of Manhattan Beach.
For all of the on-field accomplishments by the senior core of Patrick Fallon, Nick Iavarone, John Connelly, Fernando Delgado and Ryan Harnisch, it is their work away from the field that has meant so much to the underclassmen.
“You see how close they are on and off the field,” junior attack Samuel Harnisch said. “Their bond is so strong. They’ve been playing with each other for so long, they know what the other is going to do.”
———————————————
SATURDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
At Mira Costa High, Manhattan Beach
Girls Southern Section Final:
Foothill vs. Redondo, 10 a.m.
Boys Southern Section Final:
St. Margaret’s vs. Palos Verdes, 12:30 p.m.
———————————————
The younger Harnisch and the team’s other underclassmen are focused on sending the senior class out on top.
St. Margaret’s (20-3) defeated Palos Verdes, 11-8, earlier this season. Palos Verdes (17-5) advanced to today’s championship game with a 12-7 victory over Crespi of Encino. Palos Verdes lost to Foothill in last year’s Southern Section championship.
“It would be a storybook ending for them,” Samuel Harnisch said of the team’s seniors.
One thing the Tartans have working for them is their ability to stay focused when things aren’t going their way.
In their Orange County semifinal and final victories, St. Margaret’s fell behind early, 3-1. However, they eventually found a path to success.
“We have confidence in ourselves and in the system,” Fallon said. “When you trust the system and you stick to the system, you execute and make plays.”
Fallon said the Tartans will play today as if they “have something to prove” despite having just won the Orange County championship.
“We’re going to treat it like we’re the underdog,” Fallon said.
“We know how to play the game, we’re going to play it fast and we’re going to play it hard.
In the girls title game, Foothill will face Redondo Union at 10 a.m. at Mira Costa High. Foothill defeated Beckman, 10-7, in overtime Wednesday for its first O.C. championship since 2007.
It was a team-effort victory for the Knights. Meridian Lee won 17 of 19 face-off draws. Hannah Upshaw had seven saves. Carly Naud scored four goals and Sophie Forester added three. Lee also had two goals.
Julia Taylor was selected the game’s Most Outstanding Player.
Redondo defeated Oak Park, 13-12, in the L.A. section final.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
