Redondo Union girls lacrosse team running on all cylinders going into playoffs
Redondo’s Alison Kobel fights of Mira Costa defenders Taylor Duncan and Sabrina Pickett. Photo
Redondo Union is gearing up for deep run in the girls lacrosse playoffs as the Sea Hawks continue to dominate the Bay League winning its sixth straight title.
According to head coach Tom Borgia, the championship ties a school record set by Redondo’s 1950-56 wrestling team.
“We only have four seniors so we will be a major force again next year,” Borgia said. “We are really young, fast and aggressive so we will be the team to beat for the Bay League title for at least the next two years.”
Entering the final week of the season, Redondo (12-4, 6-0) was ranked No. 11 in the CIF Southern Section. The Sea Hawks gave No. 4 Mater Dei all it could handle in a 12-8 loss last Saturday and will play at El Segundo Wednesday.
Mira Costa will host Redondo Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m. and the Mustangs would like nothing better than to put a blemish on their rival’s league record by avenging an earlier 17-8 loss at Redondo.
“Redondo is a tough team,” said Mira Costa head coach Amanda Cross. “They are very composed. We need to play good defense and make accurate passes. It would be a huge thing for us if we can beat Redondo.”
If Mira Costa expects to pull off the upset, it will need strong performances from team leaders Lia Sepanek, Kayla Sugimoto, and Taylor Duncan.
The Mustangs are ranked No. 28 and have been competitive with the rest of the league playing in three one-goal games and one two-goal game. Palos Verdes is ranked No. 21, Peninsula No. 27 and El Segundo No. 35.
“Playing against Costa, at Costa, on their senior night, anything can happen,” Borgia said. “If we play our “A” game we will win and that’s what I am expecting.”
Mira Costa’s Lia Sepanek attempts to block the pass of Redondo’s Jessica Veliz. The rivals meet in a 7 p.m. contest Friday at Mira Costa. Photo
Redondo has run through Bay League competition winning by an average of eight goals per game allowing playing time for all 22 players.
Maddie Farmer has led Redondo’s explosive offense with 39 goals. The junior midfielder also handles all of the draws for the Sea Hawks.
Seniors Caitie Lowkeen, (21 Goals & 10 Assists) and Jessica Veliz, (21 goals and 15 assists) are volatile weapons and sophomore Allison Shamir (17 goals & 7 assists) is coming on after missing six games. Hailey Vorndran (14 goals) scored three important goals in Redondo’s 17-9 win against Palos Verdes last Thursday.
The midfield is anchored by Kayla Manuum (3 goals) and Allie Tsuji (10 goals) and the Sea Hawks defense is led by Kelsie Currie, Allie Vorndran, Paige Hansen and Giorgia Fujita.
Redondo’s top defender, Hailey Thatcher, returns to lineup against Mira Costa after being out four weeks with a broken finger.