Warrior girls conclude March with winning record

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

Fallbrook High School's girls lacrosse team concluded March with a 9-2 season record.

"I'm absolutely happy with that record. We've had a couple of tight games, and we came out on the top end," said Fallbrook coach Debbie Berg.

The Warriors defeated Valhalla in a March 11 home game, but that 9-5 win was followed by a 17-8 home loss March 14 when the Warriors played Mount Carmel. Fallbrook then began a winning streak which reached six games with a 16-6 victory March 31 at Ramona, and the Warriors scored at least 10 goals in each of those six matches.

Fallbrook's winning streak began March 17 with a 16-6 home win against Sage Creek. Six of Fallbrook's goals were scored by senior Taylor Sanchez; junior Shea Morgan placed five shots into the net, and senior Erica Garcia scored three times. Morgan, sophomore Gianna Alvarez‑Lindenmayer, and freshman Scout Norman each had three ground balls. Goalkeeper Myah Pack, who is a junior, made five saves.

Valley Center and El Camino are both Valley League opponents, although Fallbrook's March games against those two teams were non-league contests. "Both of those were tough games that we won," Berg said.

The March 31 game against Ramona was also a non-league match against a league opponent Fallbrook will play later in the season. "We're excited about what our chances are in league. That's our main goal; it's to win league," Berg said.

During league play, Fallbrook will host Ramona April 20, travel to Valley Center for an April 28 game, and host El Camino on May 2. The league also includes Rancho Buena Vista and Vista.

The March 21 game between Fallbrook and Valley Center was in Fallbrook, and the Warriors obtained a 10-9 victory. Fallbrook won the March 28 game at El Camino by an 11-8 margin. The games sandwiched a 19-2 triumph March 23 at Del Lago Academy and a 14-8 win March 24 at Pacific Ridge.

"The highlight has been the number of girls involved in playing. I have got a few freshmen on varsity, and I have a few freshmen and sophomores on JV who are quite talented, and so our future looks bright," Berg said.

Garcia and Sanchez, who are team captains, are the only seniors. "My juniors are really stepping up their game. We've really fortified our defense. We're quite fast, and so we do a lot of running past other teams," Berg said.

Twelve players from each team are on the field at a time. Berg may utilize junior varsity players for a specific game, but her varsity roster consists of 13 girls. "That's why my girls need to be in shape, and they are," Berg said.

During the season, Berg brought up freshman Ally Amato, who is new to the sport, from the junior varsity. Amato is now a starting attacker. During certain games, sophomores Aaliyah Arce and Kaylie Diaz have also made the transition from junior varsity to varsity.

Pack was also Fallbrook's goalkeeper last year. "She's doing well in the goals," Berg said.

The Warriors' defenders limit the number of shots Pack faces. "We have some superheroes on defense as well," Berg said.

Alvarez‑Lindenmayer leads the team in ground balls. "She also has the ability to go up field and score. She has quite a few goals," Berg said.

Three other defenders – Neveah Brugman, Gabby Cortez, and Sheny Tzuquen – rotate for the other two defensive positions. Garcia, Morgan, and Sanchez are the Warriors' midfielders. Amato, junior Blanca Gonzalez, Norman, and freshman Aylin Ramirez comprise the Warriors' attack line.

"We're very well-rounded," Berg said.

Fallbrook is in Division II for CIF playoff purposes. As of the end of March, the Warriors were third in the power rankings which are the primary criteria for playoff selection and seeding. "We're pleased about that as well," Berg said.