San Clemente wins OT thriller with Garrett's help

ALISO VIEJO – Sophomore Peyton Garrett scored a goal two minutes into sudden-death overtime to lift San Clemente's boys lacrosse team to a 12-11 victory over Santa Margarita in the semifinals of the U.S. Lacrosse Division 1 South playoffs Saturday night at Aliso Niguel.

The goal lifted third-seeded San Clemente (15-6) into the county finals for the first time Wednesday at 7 p.m. against top-seeded Corona del Mar at Dana Hills.

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OCVarsity Hot Shots: Saturday's lacrosse semifinals

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"The whole game was just a total team effort," said Garrett, who scored five goals. "It's not really one guy. The ball just luckily rebounded to me and I had an opportunity to pick it up and put it in.

"I can't say enough about seniors and the leadership. It's just meant so much to us."

San Clemente also had big contributions from junior attack man Robbie Burns, who scored five goals.

"It was pretty exciting, they overcame a lot of obstacles," said San Clemente coach Glen Miles. "We're pretty beat up and some guys played very hurt. They didn't quit."

No. 10 Santa Margarita (11-7) also played well from start to finish. The Eagles had knocked off No. seed on No. 2 seed Tesoro, 7-6, in overtime on Thursday, and looked poised for another upset.

Hayden Ruiz led the Eagles with four goals. R.J. Mazolewski and Trevor Cook added two goals each.

Santa Margarita held an 11-8 lead after three quarters before San Clemente charged back, tying the score on a goal by Jordan Riggs with 47 seconds left in regulation.

"It was tough, but I didn't have any doubts we were going to win that game," Garrett said.