The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Vista Murrieta makes move, knocks off Temecula Valley
MURRIETA >> Vista Murrieta boys lacrosse coach Even Daarstad strengthened the nonleague portion of the team’s schedule.
The goal: win the Southwestern League championship. But to do that, the Broncos need to dethrone Temecula Valley.
Vista Murrieta took a big step in that direction Monday evening. Drew Files scored four goals, while Jake Soliday and Bryan Jordan added three goals apiece as the Broncos cruised to a 17-7 victory over Temecula Valley in its first league match.
It marked Vista Murrieta’s first win over Temecula Valley since lacrosse became an official CIF Southern Section sport.
“Temecula Valley has set a standard as the Southwestern League champion. And our goal is to be champs,” Daarstad said. “We, purposely, had some very competitive (nonleague) games to prepare us for this moment, which had not been the case the past couple years. Those games made us sharper . ... It’s a big win and gives us confidence moving forward.”
Movement was crucial for Vista Murrieta (8-2 overall) throughout Monday’s match, as most of the goals were assisted rather than one-on-one drives to the net. Daarstad said offthe-ball movement is something that is constantly stressed.
“We can get a little stagnant at times, so that movement is so important,” Daarstad said. “We are trying to work that ball around as much as we can to get better opportunities to score. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re going the right way.”
Temecula Valley (6-4, 1-1 in league) grabbed the early lead, as Zachary Weiss and Mason Cardinale scored goals in the first 2 1/2 minutes of the match. Vista Murrieta clamped down defensively and led 3-2 after the first period.
Cardinale scored his second goal of the match to tie the score in the second period, but Vista Murrieta closed out the first half with four unanswered goals to take a 7-3 halftime lead. Files scored three of his goals during the run.
“We had a bit of a slow start, but we came together in the huddle and said, ‘We need to lock it in,’ “said Files, a junior midfielder. “If we just go keep trying to one-on-one, it’s not going to work. We started to move more, and things clicked.”
The game was still up for grabs early in the third period, but Vista Murrieta rattled off five consecutive goals over a span of six minutes to extend its advantage to 13-4. Jordan scored all three of his goals during that stretch.
Files said a halftime speech by senior goalkeeper Collin Applegate was instrumental in the Broncos pulling away.
“Collin said that we just need to keep our foot on the gas until the end,” Files said. “And that’s what happened.”
Temecula Valley played Monday night’s game without its top player, Cayden Rose, who is sidelined with an injury. The Golden Bears had the program’s 11-match winning streak against league opponents snapped with Monday’s defeat.
“There is no secret sauce or anything like that. We just need to get our head right and take care of the basics,” Temecula Valley coach Chuck Assumma said. “Tonight, they (the Broncos) just wanted it more than we did. They’re a really good team. They are putting in the work and it shows. That amount of work gave them the performance they had tonight.”
Weiss finished with three goals to lead Temecula Valley, and Cardinale added a pair of goals for the Golden Bears. Grant Eager also was a bright spot for Temecula Valley, as he won nearly every face-off from the clamp point.
Zeke Riley and Dylan Applegate each scored a pair of goals for Vista Murrieta. Collin Applegate finished the night with nine saves.
The teams will square off again April 10 at Temecula Valley.