SoCAL BOYS: Mira Costa Holds on to Beat Los Alamitos, 11-9
March 14th, 2010
Senior attackman Nick de la Espriella scored a game-high five goals to lead Mira Costa to an 11-9 victory over Los Alamitos in a CIF-Southern Section game Saturday in Orange County.
Junior middie Tom Farrell added four points on three goals and one assist, senior attackman Mitch Hymowitz had three points on a goal and two assists and sophomore attackman Dakota Randall finished with a goal and an assist to help the Mustangs (3-1) win their third straight.
Junior middie Marcus Egeck scored once to round out the offense for Mira Costa.
Defensively, senior goalie Tony Gibbs was sensational, making 16 saves, including seven in the third quarter. Many of those shots were from close range. Meanwhile, junior middie Ryan Kole also had a big game, winning 17-of-22 face-offs.
In defeat, senior Michael Marchand registered a game-high seven points on two goals and five assists for Los Alamitos, which fell to 2-1.
Mira Costa led 4-1 at the end of the first quarter, 9-6 at halftime and 10-7 at the end of the third quarter.
Los Alamitos scored back-to-back goals to start the fourth, and the Griffins pulled to within 10-9 after attackman Mark Lowrimore scored his fourth goal off a feed from Marchand with 2:07 remaining in regulation.
But Mira Costa restored its two-goal advantage in the final minute on a goal by Farrell, who scored with 53 seconds to play.
“Possession in this game was key, and we were able to win the ground-ball battle,” Mira Costa head coach Dave Vinci said. “The game was really all about our goalie in the third quarter. He helped keep momentum and keep the team going.”
 WHAT GAME WERE U
WHAT GAME WERE U WATCHING
I guess you did see the head line of this article?????
Costa almost lost this game WHY because they don't play like a team!
They don't set up and work the ball they rush like they are behind when they are winning WHY????????????????????????
Because they want personal stats instead of TEAM STATS!!!!
They got away lucky with a win I don't know what game you were watching but Costa got lucky nothing more!!!
Los Al is NO Foothill and Lets see what they do with PV I am thinking another Foothill game unless they play TEAM BALL and work the clock from start to finish
your son
i guess your son must be a captian. and if you think this team has come together, go to a pratice and listen to how the players talk to each other!
Mira Costa shows Heart and Soul
What a great win by the Mustangs on Saturday against a very talented Los Alameda team. To those few "Negative Nellie's" in the stands, I hope you saw the Heart of a rapidly improving Mira Costa team.
With an unbelievable performance by Ryan Cole on faceoffs and a stout performance by Tony Gibb in goal, the Mustangs made a great run in the first half, weathered an strong attempted comback by a good interior passing team in the fourth quarter, and played smart lacrosse down the streatch for an impressive, quality win.
As much as strong scoring efforts by Nick de la Esprellia and Tom Farrell contributed to the victory, this win was actually the result of good all around team play by everyone on the field, great support by those on the sideline, and especially good coaching on both the offensive and defensive ends of the field.
Coach Vinci's call for playing "box and one" in Q4 to deny the ball to the Los Alameda's two scoring threats was a great recognition. Also, in the last two minutes, having the offense take and keep the ball behind their goal and in the hands of good, strong ball handlers was smart lacrosse. Even more bold was his call to turn them loose to score if a good opportunity was available - with Tom Farrell doing so to put the game away in the last minute.
While there are always things to work on to continue improving, the coaches and the captains have this team farther along the road to success than any team in MC history. With constructive, positive fan support and encouragement, this team should go all the way.