ORANGE — For the first time since the CIF Southern Section took over the playoff system for boys and girls lacrosse in 2020, the Foothill girls lacrosse team did not take home the Division 1 championship.
Foothill had its streak of consecutive championships snapped at three with a 14-8 loss to Marlborough on Saturday at El Modena High.
The final was a rematch of last season’s championship game that Foothill won 13-5.
Foothill played Marlborough in its season opener this season and won 14-9.
The Knights (17-3) had been one of the most dominant teams in any sport in the Southern Section over the past four years. Entering Saturday, Foothill was 68-1 against Southern Section opponents since 2019 with the one loss to San Clemente earlier this season.
Marlborough beats Foothill 14-8 to win its first CIF Division 1 championship.
First time ever Foothill doesnt take home the trophy. 8 goals for Sophia Cuteno. @ocvarsity @latsondheimer @Mustang_Sports @FoothillGirls @CIFSS pic.twitter.com/ik1rLPXlxf— Michael Huntley (@mikehuntley63) May 12, 2024
“I talked to them after the game and I said it stinks to go out and lose the championship game but you made it to this point,” Foothill coach Cristina Rodriguez said. “They had an awesome season and it didn’t go the way they wanted at the end, but they need to be proud of the accomplishments that they had this season.”
This is the first CIF-SS Division 1 championship for Marlborough (18-1). The Mustangs won the Division 3 championship in 2022 and were Division 1 runner-ups in 2023.
Marlborough won the Mission League this season and beat Palos Verdes, St. Margaret’s and Mira Costa to reach the championship game. Its only loss was in the season opener against Foothill.
The Mustangs jumped on Foothill early but the Knights got back-to-back goals from Kayla Agarie to tie the game at two midway through the first quarter.
Marlborough went on a 4-0 run in the first half and another 4-0 run from late in the second quarter through early in the third quarter.
Sophomore midfielder Sophia Cuteno had eight goals for Marlborough and was very effective in the draw.
Draw controls were a major factor in Marlborough’s success. The Mustangs won the overwhelming majority of the draws Saturday which gave them extra possessions.
“They crushed the draw and they possessed the ball every time they got down there,” Rodriguez said. “They were really patient with the shots that they took. I have to tip my hat to them for their game plan and being composed and sticking to it.”
Freshman Enna Corely had three goals and a pair of assists for Marlborough and Julia Guidry had two goals.
Elle Vickers had two goals for Foothill, both in the fourth quarter on passes from Brynn Perkins. Perkins, a candidate for Orange County player of the year, had a goal and two assists Saturday, bringing her season total to 96 points.
Senior attack Sophia Ortiz had two assists for Foothill. Ilana Blum, Ava Pistone and Serenity Sterling each scored once for the Knights.
Goalkeeper Jenna Cardeno had eight saves for Foothill, but Marlborough created a lot of traffic in front of the net which gave it many scoring opportunities.
Foothill was the Crestview League champion this season and beat Chaminade, Murrieta Mesa and Redondo in the playoffs to reach the championship game.
