Young Warriors shut out in return to boys lacrosse

The Fallbrook High School boys lacrosse team – or at least the players who aren't involved with other sports – returned to game action March 30 at home against Temecula Valley but lost to the Golden Bears by a 13-0 margin.

"We didn't do too good," said Fallbrook coach Mike Zinniger.

"It's a lot of factors," Zinniger said. "We have a very young team, a lot of sophomores and freshmen. However, a lot of upperclassmen are playing football."

Zinniger had 15 players on March 30. This year Fallbrook has a varsity team only, which is the first time since the program's early years that the Warriors do not have a junior varsity squad.

"A lot of teams don't have JVs this year. We're definitely not the exception," Zinniger said.

The initial 2021 team consists of three seniors, three juniors, five sophomores, and four freshmen. The three seniors are the only players who were on Fallbrook's 2020 varsity.

For the freshmen, the March 30 contest was their first high school game. "We had to throw them into the fire. They got their first taste of high school," Zinniger said.

The Golden Bears held a 6-0 lead at the end of the first period. "The first quarter there was a lot of nerves," Zinniger said.

The halftime score was 8-0. "The second quarter we settled down," Zinniger said.

Temecula Valley held a 9-0 advantage after the third period. "The third quarter was our best quarter," Zinniger said. "The nerves got out of the way. They had a great third quarter."

The Fallbrook players concluded that game with a gain of experience. "We got the first one out of the way," Zinniger said. The experience included playing time for the freshmen who were able to see more action on the field due to the absence of the football players. "They don't have time to develop on the JV this year," Zinniger said.

The freshmen are instead developing against varsity opposition. "We are setting a good foundation for the future," Zinniger said. "That's kind of encouraging."

The young players are also gaining experience for games later this season. "It's going to be a big difference once the football kids are back," Zinniger said.

The 2020 Warriors had 14 seniors. Fallbrook posted a 1-2 record before the coronavirus outbreak cancelled the remainder of the season. The Warriors' last game prior to the 2021 season opener was played on March 10, 2020.

"Regardless of the result we had a great time. It was just good to be back on the field," Zinniger said.