After an opening game setback to Rancho Bernardo by the score of 11-6, the Islander Girls Lacrosse Team figures to 
again be in the thick of the chase for the CIF title again this season.
The loss to Rancho Bernardo was unusual, because according to Head Coach Jessica Battle, the Islanders had soundly defeated the Broncos in a scrimmage just two days before. “Ten of their 11 goals came on direct shots, which are the result of penalties. It was a frustrating game to coach and it was a humbling experience for the team. We completely lost our composure. Now they know they can be beaten and the pressure is off.”
That’s the bad news. The good news is that Coronado recovered later in the week and took out their frustrations on San Dieguito, winning by the lopsided score of 15-3.
If Coronado was a little overconfident in the early going of the new season, they may have reason to be. When asked to discuss the strength of her team, Battle replied, “Player for player we have no weak spots this year. Usually there are one or two players who are not as strong. We have a great starting lineup and they play really, really well together.”
In the starting lineup are six seniors, including Melissa Humphrey at attack wing, Jillian Reidy at line attack, Sandy Shepherd at defensive wing, Kirsten Krock and Jenna Harrison at line defense and Taylor Udell in goal.
Starters from other classes include line attackers Coco O’Brien and Michaela Guerrera, midfielders Anna Turpitt and Kaitlyn Couture, center Alex Reidy and Lainey Mebust at line defense. A total of 19 players are on the varsity this season.
Lacrosse is unique among the CIF sports, as all schools regardless of enrollment, compete in one division. The Islanders will continue to play in the City Conference, where according to Battle, La Jolla and Cathedral will provide the best competition. “La Jolla is a developing team. They have a new coach and a couple of excellent players. If all goes as planned, we should be able to beat them. Cathedral has some good players and consistent coaching. We play at Cathedral next Friday, but we don’t play La Jolla until May.”
On a county-wide basis, the same familiar foes are back again. “La Costa Canyon is the team to beat,” said Battle of the team that stopped the Islanders in last season’s CIF Championship Final. “Poway is pretty strong. Rancho Bernardo is a good team. They surprised me. I think they will go pretty far as well. Torrey Pines is always good.”
This week Coronado hosts Monte Vista Wednesday at 7 p.m. Saturday the team competes in a tournament to be held at Westview High School. Included in the Islanders’ bracket is one of the top girls lacrosse teams from Colorado. Potentially Coronado could play Germantown Academy from Maryland. Also Poway, Scripps Ranch La Jolla and Poway are in the same bracket with the Islanders.
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