FALCONS EDGE RATTLERS IN FIELD HOCKEY SHOWDOWN

The first salvo for field hockey supremacy across San Diego County was fired.

For now, Scripps Ranch High is clearly the No. 1 team.

Senior Mia Ishimine’s penalty-shot goal one minute into the 10-minute sudden death period was the only shot to hit the inside of the cage.

It gave the Falcons (100-1) a hard-fought 1-0 victory over host and rival Canyon Hills in the championship game of the 44th annual Serra/canyon Hills Tournament on Saturday.

“Before she took that shot, I just told Mia to go do it,” Scripps Ranch coach Jane Morrill said. “Whenever you win a game matching these two teams, you have to play hard, but I’m too old for this.”

Asked how many times the two teams have met in the tournament finals, Morrill answered: “Too many times.”

After playing to a 0-0 tie in regulation, the back-andforth play continued and it looked as if the championship wouldn’t be decided until stroke play, which is called 1v1 play.

Less than a minute into overtime, a violation in front of the Canyon Hills’ net handed a penalty stroke to Ishimine. The senior calmly strode to her spot and launched a shot into the top left corner of the cage for the game-winner.

“I love strokes,” said Ishimine, a senior. “I know goalies hate strokes. The goal was awesome because this is the biggest tournament we play in. Plus, this is senior year.”

Ishimine admitted she figured the title would come down to strokes anyway.

“This is probably the biggest goal I’ve ever scored,” she said. “But it was not an easy game. Both teams had chances to win.”

Junior Mia Clark of Canyon Hills was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Kaelynn Del Monte of Scripps Ranch was the tournament’s top goalie, while teammate Kelsey Mcgrattan was the top offensive player. Kiara Polifka of Canyon Hills was named the top defender.

Scripps Ranch had Tori Fraser, Alyson Turfler, Julianne Sue, Riley Blemker and Mcgrattan named to the all-tournament team. Hannah Dunfee, Vanessa Orlina-mincey, Clark and Polifka of Canyon Hills joined them on the team.

Canyon Hills, which changed its name this fall from Serra — its original name from 1976 — is now 10-2. The Rattlers dominated play in the first half with as many as nine good scoring chances or short corners without beating Del Monte.

The second half was a bit more even as far as scoring chances went.

Del Monte’s 10 saves in regulation put Ishimine in the spotlight.

“This is our first taste of playing them this year,” Ishimine said. “If we play as hard as we did this time, we can win the later meetings.”

There could be at least three more meetings between the two powerhouses, including two in league play and once in the playoffs.

“This is the highest level we have to play at,” Ishimine said. “I expected a hard game, one that went to overtime with (Canyon Hills). We all know what it will take in competition with them. That’s why I love playing (Canyon Hills).”