CdM will attempt to halt Foothill's reign

Top-seeded Corona del Mar will be out to dethrone two-time county and Southern Section champion Foothill on Tuesday night when the two boys lacrosse teams meet in the U.S. Lacrosse-Southern Section Orange County Championship at Irvine Stadium.

The match starts at 8 p.m. and follows the girls final between Los Alamitos and Foothill that starts at 6 p.m.

Foothill coach Jon Fox described his team as the underdog going into the tournament. But No-2 seeded Foothill (18-5) has responded. The Knights advanced to the finals by defeating Los Alamitos, 14-12, on Saturday in the semifinals.

“I am so proud of our team,” Fox said. “To get to the championship having only one starter returning from last year is a tribute to the hard work the players and coaches have put in this season. The game key is for us to be on offense the most. We need to win the face-offs and ground ball battles to accomplish that. Both teams have offenses that can score so we want more chances than them.”

Corona del Mar (20-1) advanced by defeating Santa Margarita, 16-7, in the semifinals.

“They have an edge in the goal with four-year varsity starter (Andrew) Noto, so we will need to shoot very well, and need to stay out of penalty box,” Fox said. “If we do those things we will win.”

Corona del Mar coach Mark Todd knows his squad will be tested. The Sea Kings defeated the Knights, 7-6, on March 11.

“Foothill is a tremendous lacrosse program,” Todd said. “They've been at it longer than anyone in the county and have come to expect championships from their lacrosse team.

“Prior to and ever since the CIF sanctioned lacrosse as a varsity sport in the Southern Section Foothill has been repeatedly the reigning champions. They have a ton of talent at every position; and we have only beat them once, by one goal, and it took an overtime period to do it. They're ready for us.

“We've seen them scouting us since then in anticipation of this match-up and it will take a tremendous team effort on our part to win again; particularly since we are a bit banged up, which is about as well as can be expected this late into the season.

“Due to various nagging injuries to a few senior starters since that game on March 11th, we are playing several positions by committee and are now relying on some of our younger guys to step up and make plays for us and so far they have responded.”
 

Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com