SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Mater Dei’s boys lacrosse team took pole position in the Trinity League race by beating JSerra 9-7 Wednesday at JSerra High.
The Monarchs (8-3, 3-0) have beaten the other top teams in the league: Santa Margarita, JSerra and Servite. Their two remaining league games are against Orange Lutheran and St. John Bosco, which are at the bottom of the league standings.
Mater Dei also has made a strong case that it is the top team in the county as its record includes wins over Foothill and Corona del Mar.
“Going on the road to Santa Margarita, Servite and JSerra in one week is a testament to our players and the grit that they have to be road warriors, which is a term we have coined for ourselves,” Mater Dei coach Knute Kraus said. “It’s cool to watch these guys work and show up to play when it matters.”
Mater Dei dominated the first quarter and got out to an early 5-1 lead. The Monarchs had nine shots compared to two for JSerra (11-5, 2-1) and controlled possession.
“Just a slow start. All credit to Mater Dei. Their defense did a great job making our offense uncomfortable,” JSerra coach Adam Guy said. “We started out late. Minus that first little run, we were kind of neck-and-neck. Their goalie got hot and made some clutch saves at the end.”
Mater Dei goalie Sam Heafner did indeed get hot, particularly in the final minutes of the game.
JSerra cut Mater Dei’s lead to 9-7 with three minutes remaining. Heafner had three saves in the final minutes including two from point-blank range to keep the Lions at arm’s length.
“He was incredible. He’s been our rock in net,” Kraus said of Heafner. “We have a really strong defense out in front of him but when things leak through the cracks, he’s the guy to slam the door shut at the end.”
Mater Dei’s defense, led by Penn signee Jack Cudzil, Aesa Alota, Caleb Jin and Addy McKellar, made Heafner’s job a little easier in the first three quarters. The Monarchs kept JSerra off the scoreboard for a 19-minute stretch including a shutout third quarter.
“They always support me,” Heafner said of the defense. “It’s great to know that I have great people that always have my back. Whenever I’m not playing well, they bring me up.”
Heafner had 12 saves. It was his third game of the season with double-digit saves and his sixth consecutive game with a save percentage of at least 57 percent.
Mater Dei led 8-3 entering the fourth quarter, but JSerra went on a 3-0 run to cut the lead to two midway through the fourth quarter. Junior midfielder Harper O’Hara picked up a ground ball and scored on a breakaway for Mater Dei to stop JSerra’s scoring run.
On offense, Mater Dei was well-balanced, as it has been all season. Wisconsin signee Sinjin Kroener, Brendan Strader and Nicholas Stokes each scored two goals. The Monarchs have three players with over 30 points this season.
“It’s hard to defend us when we have a lot of guys who can score,” Kraus said. “But credit to Adam (Guy) for getting his team ready. They do a good job understanding what we like to do and taking away easy looks for us. It’s always a battle and I’m glad we found a way to win.”
Mason Stephens had two goals for JSerra and Justin Frericks scored a goal with a long-stick. Allegheny College signee Jack Pearl had eight saves.
Mater Dei has won 12 consecutive games against JSerra dating back to 2016.
JSerra entered Wednesday with an eight-game winning streak, including convincing league wins over Servite and Orange Lutheran.
Wednesday was the first of a stretch where Mater Dei plays games on three consecutive days. The Monarchs will host Monte Vista of Danville on Thursday and St. John Bosco in a league game Friday.
JSerra will play Santa Margarita on the road Friday. That game will likely determine which team will finish second in the league standings.
“Santa Margarita is very tough this year and they are going to bring their best so we have to be able to absorb this and move on quickly,” Guy said. “I don’t think I need to give much motivation for that one. The kids are always excited to play SM. It’s a good rivalry game.”
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