The Royals rallied from a five-goal second-half deficit to beat a CIF-SS Division 1 opponent for the first time in program history, said coach Paul Ramsey.
KC Springer sent the game into overtime off an assist from Sofia Martinez-Tomatis.
Springer then controlled the overtime draw, which led to Monson’s game winner. Her goal capped a 6-0 run by the Royals.
Monson was playing her first lacrosse game after leading the San Marcos girls basketball team to a historic season. She scored four goals.
The Royals had a rough first half at Oak Park.
“We were not playing all that well in the first half and we were down 4-0 early,” said Ramsey. “But the spirit of these girls to keep grinding and working was awesome after that.”
It didn’t look good for San Marcos in the second half as it fell behind by five goals with about 12 minutes left.
“Nobody scripts being down by five to mount a comeback, but we have some fighters and some talent and we really got sparked by Sofia, KC and Ellie at all the right times,” said Ramsey.
San Marcos improved to 4-1 and plays undefeated Santa Monica on Saturday in the first round of the Gold Coast Invitational at Warkentin Stadium. There are 24 teams participating at host sites Dos Pueblos, San Marcos and Santa Barbara high schools.
Gold Coast Invitational information and the schedule for all divisions may be found on the San Marcos team website.