LOS ALAMITOS After a grueling early nonleague schedule, the Los Alamitos boys lacrosse team can now focus all attention on the defending their Sunset League title, with league play beginning Saturday.
Thanks to a early barrage of goals in the first half, the 10th-ranked Griffins (2-4)) will do so feeling better about themselves thanks to Wednesday’s 12-2 home nonleague home victory over Esperanza.
The Griffins will open Sunset League at home against Marina, Saturday at noon.
Jake Householder and Joey Weinman scored four goals apiece and Brandon Ezell added three, with one from Matt Fanelli to account for all of Griffins’ scoring.
Los Alamitos scored the first 10 goals of the game and led 9-0 at halftime.
“I thought we played well, did a good executing and did a nice job of possessing the ball and getting some good looks for our shooters,” Los Alamitos coach Chris Jewett said.
This was the Griffins first game since losing to Aliso Niguel 12-11 last Thursday. They’re previous three losses came to Loyola of Los Angeles, Foothill and Oak Park.
“We decided to play some very good teams right off the bat, I like to do that,” Jewett said. “I like to see what my guys are made of and test them with some tough teams. We played hard, but we just didn’t have the lacrosse IQ to roll with those teams in the beginning.
Through those early setbacks, Jewett said he’s found some positives.
“In certain situations that we’ve been in, we know who are go-to-guys are,” he said. “I think our defense has learned to communicate and talk a little bit more.
“Our league is good this year. Marina is well-coached. We have to continue to grow as a team. We have new starters in attack, defense, goalie, some new midfielders. I think once we grow as a unit, we’ll do OK.”
Nick Helton and Tommy Ferguson scored for the Aztecs.
In other action
No. 2 Corona del Mar 16, Beckman 1: Jordan Greenhall scored four goals and Max Kline and Ben Palitz scored three apiece to lead the host Sea Kings to the victory.
Sherwin Gersten had four assists, along wth two goals. Brennan Greenwald also scored two goals.
