The Foothill’s girls lacrosse team, under Coach Brian Cross, hopes to put an end to the reign of Los Alamitos, which has dominated the sport the last three years.
The Knights are picked No. 1 in the county ahead of the defending champion Griffins in the preseason coaches’ poll.
“There are the powerhouses in Orange County, we hope to be one of them,” Cross said. ‘I think this year we’re probably the fastest team we’ve ever had and maybe our most experienced. Maybe eight of our starters are returning and we have eight or nine seniors, so we have an older, experienced team which hopefully will prove to be the right combination.”
Cross, in his sixth year, knows teams will be looking to upset the top-ranked team.
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“That’s an honor for the girls,” Cross said. “Any time you’re ranked No. 1, there is increased pressure but hopefully it makes the girls play harder.”
The Knights reached the semifinal round of the U.S. Lacrosse Division-1 South playoffs last year, but are hoping to get farther this year.
Foothill, 14-3 overall last year, has plenty of talent returning, led by junior goalie Emily Kift, who recorded 139 saves last year and earned first team all-county honors.
“Our goalie, who is destined to go to Maryland, is getting better with each game, she’s very quick,” Cross said.
The Knights center will be junior Haley O’Donoghue, who has “gotten incredibly strong over the summer,” Cross said.
Senior midfielder Jocelyn Case, senior attack Kali Michelson and senior defender Sarah Coffee are among the other standouts for Foothill.
Other top players include senior midfielder Paige Brennan, junior midfielder Shannon Cessna, senior attack-defender Megan English, junior attack Kelly Filbin, senior attack Molly Goodman, sophomore defender Claire Healy and senior midfielder Krista Nailon.
Foothill also has a freshman midfielder Julia Taylor who has shown promise, Cross said.
Cross hopes that the Knights have the right formula to go far.
“The goal is always to get to the finals,” Cross said. “We’ve always made the semis, and we’ve made the finals three times,” Cross said.
