By Emma Rosenbaum
Sports Editor
Holding a winning streak is a difficult feat for any team, but Costa’s boys lacrosse team has been going strong for 11 games since its loss to San Clemente March 12.
Costa faced off against the Culver City Centaurs at Waller Stadium on Wednesday, where the Mustangs won 16-5. Costa’s record is now 13-3 overall and 10-1 in Bay League. Tonight the team hosts Peninsula at 7 p.m in its final league game. The boys will hold the title if they win.
Costa started strong against Culver City with three goals, the first by junior Austin Hafdell, before two minutes had passed.
“We started with a lot of concentration and energy, and it showed,” Hafdell said.
Junior Ryan Silver brought in the next two goals for the Mustangs. After battling through the Centaurs’ defense, Silver threw an overhand shot to the top right corner of the goal for his second goal, bringing the score to 5-0.
Culver City’s junior Ben Galpar then ran in a goal, breaking through Costa senior goalie John Mayfield’s defense. Shortly after, senior Marcus Egeck ran the ball down the field to assist a behind-the-back bounce shot by senior Tom Farrell.
“Tom puts it in the goal,” Silver said. “With tricks like his, I know we will go all the way in CIF.”
The boys closed the first quarter with a score of 7-1, but the Centaurs brought in a second goal early in the second quarter.
For the next three minutes, neither team gained offensive power over the other until senior Tajee Mobley weaved through the Centaurs’ defense to score. The Mustangs ended the first half ahead, 9-5.
Some Costa players were disappointed in their play in the second half.
“This was not our best effort,” Silver said. “We did a good job of holding Culver City off in the second half, but we could have had better offense.”
Starting the second half, Silver brought in Costa’s 10th goal early, but the team scored few goals after. Costa ended the quarter with a score of 12-5.
“I just don’t think that we gave the second half 100 percent of our focus and effort,” coach Chris Jewett said.
In the fourth quarter, the Mustangs worked together to make successful offensive plays. Junior Chris O’Brien scored twice in the first five minutes off of two Farrell assists and later assisted Hafdell for the game’s final goal.
After this win, Costa looks forward to its title-deciding game against the Panthers tonight at Waller Stadium.
“It’s senior night and we are going to have goals firing out at every opening,” Mobley said. “Peninsula better watch out for our team.”
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