Dos Pueblos opened its girls lacrosse season against CIF-SS Division 1 Newbury Park and went back and forth with the Panthers before falling 14-6 on the road Wednesday.
“We went out hungry this game and while the score seems wide, performing this well against a Division I team is remarkable,” said DP coach Samantha Limkeman. “It looks like the Chargers didn’t skip a beat and picked up with the momentum we had at the end of the 2019 season.”
The Chargers trailed 6-4 in the first half before Newbury Park went on a 4-goal run. DP held the Panthers to four goal in the second half.
“We were able to shut down all attempted plays and forced the Panthers to score off drives to goal,” said Limkeman.
Brooke Essig led DP with three goals and Olivia Geyling led the way with ground ball controls.
“Defensively, Leilani Bucifal, Livneh Naaman, Julissa Ramirez-Gijon, and Kenzie Hemman strategically executed a beautiful zone defense, which is to thank for forcing the Panthers to make drives instead of run plays. Goalie Annette Bennett made 8 incredible saves,” said Limkeman.
She added: “This season is going to be something else. Watching my girls play their hearts out on that field tonight was incredible. I’m excited to see this momentum carried out this season. This is just the beginning.”