La Costa Canyon Mavericks

No. 14 Foothill-OC 9, No. 3 La Costa Canyon 8
From Staff Reports

Middie Cooper Pickell came down the right alley and around the pipes to score with one minute, 54 seconds to play to lift No. 14 Foothill-Orange County to its first victory over No. 3 La Costa Canyon in three years on Saturday night. The 9-8 non-league victory was the second consecutive for Foothill-Orange Country (6-1), whose only loss this season was to No. 13 De La Salle last Saturday.

La Costa Canyon (4-1) was riding a four-game win streak into the game, though it had won its last two games – both against ranked teams – by a goal each. The Mavericks beat No. 4 Arapahoe (Colo.), 11-10, on Wednesday and No. 23 Rancho Bernardo, 7-6, in overtime on March 18.

On Saturday night, Foothill-Orange County was scoreless in the first quarter and trailed, 5-1, at the half. The Knights cut the deficit to 7-4 at the end of the third quarter, and used a 5-1 fourth-quarter rally to grab the win.

“We made a couple of adjustments with personnel and it’s a little different playing style down here,” said Foothill-Orange County head coach John Fox, who said play is more physical in San Diego County. “This was a huge win for us. This is a huge rivalry for us.”

With the score tied at 7-7 with 5:31 to play, Foothill-Orange County attackman Eric Adamson put the Knights ahead when he scored off an assist from attackman Brad Bochesa.

It was about four minutes later that Pickell scored what looked like the insurance goal, but La Costa Canyon junior middie Andrew Perkins scored with 1:24 to play in a man-up situation.

From there, Foothill-Orange County senior goalie Josh Giglio held the Mavericks at bay. Fox said Giglio was critical to the victory and the late surge, as he made “four big saves” in the second half. In addition, face-off specialist Zack Handy gave the Knights possession and the opportunity to score.

“We lost the last two years,” said Fox. “They’ve been looking forward to this. They really wanted it.”

Lacrosse Season: 2011