Boys lacrosse preview: Foothill vs. St. Margaret's

Foothill's boys lacrosse team is out to win its fifth consecutive U.S. Lacrosse Division 1 South boys title Wednesday night.

But the top-seeded Knights (16-4) know it won't be easy as they take on No. 2 seeded St. Margaret's in the title game at 7 p.m. at Mission Viejo High.

Foothill coach Jon Fox has plenty of respect for St. Margaret's.

"I had the privilege of coaching with the FCA–SoCal travel team last summer and we had many players from Foothill and St. Margaret's together on this team, and it was great to get to know the players and families from St. Margaret's," Fox said Tuesday.

"It makes this championship even more fun having some friends on the other side. St. Margaret's has built a great lacrosse tradition, (coach) Gerry Manning and the staff do a great job representing the sport and the school."

St. Margaret's (14-2) is aiming for its first title and is making its first appearance in the finals since 2008 when it faced Foothill.

"We got a shot at them and that's all we can ask for," Manning said. "They're a great program, well coached. The kids play year-round and they have great athletes.

"We just have to win the chess match, that's what we strive for. We wanted to get to this game and we always expect to see them (Foothill)."

Both teams won their two playoff matches to get to the finals.

The Knights opened with a 15-7 victory over Los Alamitos, then defeated San Clemente, 12-6, in the semifinals.

St. Margaret's opened with a 7-5 victory over Huntington Beach before defeating El Toro, 7-6, Saturday in the semifinals. Junior attack Kent Iizuka scored the game-winner with 3:29 left in the second overtime period.

Now, it's almost time for the two powers to meet for the second time. Foothill won, 13-11, on March 15.

Fox said his players are looking forward to the experience.

"Playoffs and championship games are the most exciting time for athletes of any sport," Fox said.

"Everything you have been training for comes out on field. All your hard work shows and the players go all out, every minute, every possession every decision counts. It all adds up together to build into a win as a team.

"It's a life experience highlight that sticks with the students and helps them to be successful off the field, in school, business and family life. They experience and perform under pressure and that gives them confidence to take on any challenge life brings their way."

Foothill is led by attack men Erik Adamson (86 points) and Cameron Cole (60 points) and midfielders Josh Peterman (42 points) and Cooper Pickell (51 points).

The defensive starters will be Sean Feeney, Cole Sutliff, Chance Cooper, Nick Kos and Goalie Josh Giglio, who Fox said, "will be tasked with holding the Tartan attack at bay."

Attack men Mitchel Pok (24 goals), Alex Waller (23 goals) and Kent Iizuka (21 goals) lead St. Margaret's.

Midfielder Matt Duenes has 18 assists and Iizuka has 15 assists.

Scott McGowan leads the Tartans with 110 groundballs and defender Nolan Lynch has 99.

Iizuka said after Saturday's victory over El Toro that the Tartans still remember the loss to Foothill.

"We played them earlier this year and lost to them," Iizuka said. "We hope to come back and avenge that loss and take that title."

The winner of Wednesday's match moves on to the U.S. Lacrosse Southern Section title game Saturday at Redondo Union High.