VIKINGS VANQUISH RIVALS FOR TITLE

La Jolla 9, Scripps Ranch 8

In what has become one of the San Diego Section’s top championship rivalries in any sport, the La Jolla High girls varsity lacrosse team defeated defending two-time CIF Open Division titlist Scripps Ranch, 9-8, to win the division championship on Saturday evening at Patrick Henry High.

Senior Luca Demaio scored three goals for the topseeeded Vikings, who held off the third-seeded Falcons’ effort for a late comeback after building a 7-2 lead early in the second half.

The Falcons won the Open Division banner in 2019 and ’21 over La Jolla for backto-back titles, but the Vikings had the confidence coming into Saturday’s final after a pair of regular-season wins that led to a Western League title.

“It feels good to beat our rivals,” Demaio said. “It was scary at the end. Scripps Ranch is a really strong team and if you’re not careful, they will come back.”

The Falcons closed the gap in the final minutes of the game but a key sequence came with just more than 10 minutes to go. Trailing 8-6, Scripps Ranch was patient with possession in trying to get within a goal but after the Vikings turned their rivals away at the doorstep, the Falcons quickly went on a long, speedy counter that took just seconds, resulting in Demaio’s final goal.

The Vikings jumped out to a 3-0 lead as junior Ella Stephens scored the first two goals of the game. Senior Hailey Dommers also had a pair of goals for LJHS (16-4).

Scripps Ranch’s Dahlen Vilbrandt scored four goals, while teammate Kayden Williamson, who set school records this season for goals and assists, added two scores. Amanda Griffin also scored twice for SRHS (17-4).

Division I

Coronado 16, Bishop’s 7: The top-seeded Islanders pulled away from the sixthseeded Knights in the second half after leading just 7-5 at halftime to win the Division I championship game.

Seniors Allie White and Elle Ackerly both scored four goals for the Islanders, who finished the season with a 912 record, after going just 1-7 in the tough five-team Western League.

“We just try and have fun and work and stay together against those tough teams,” White said.

The score was tied at 2-all and the Knights trailed just 6-5 with 5:34 left in the first half.

Ackeryly and White combined for all seven first-half goals for the Islanders, who led by two at halftime.

Division II

Santa Fe Christian 15, Francis Parker 8: The thirdseeded Eagles knocked off the top-seeded Lancers for the Division II championship after trailing 3-0 less than four minutes into the game.

Sante Fe Christian senior Lana Davis, who suffered an injured ankle in the fourth game of the season only to return in time for Senior Night and the postseason, scored six goals in the contest, including four in the first half.

“Since the beginning of the season, our goal was to win CIF,” Davis said. “This wasn’t just for us, but for our teammates from last year, too.”

Parker’s Isabel Kincart, a sophomore, scored two of three opening goals in the first 8:46.

Natalia Raiszadeh added four goals for SFC (12-9-1), while teammate Claire Kikkawa scored two goals.