Boys lacrosse: Monte Vista's Season Ends in OT Loss to Amador Valley

Amador Valley 6, Foothill 5

Records: Amador Valley 15-7; Monte Vista 13-8

The Star: Amador's Mitch Flaherty scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in overtime.

The Turning Point: Monte Vista was called for a penalty 16 seconds into overtime, giving Amador a man-advantage. The penalty freed up Flaherty to win the game for Amador.

The Quote: "Two weeks ago there was a five-way tie for first (in the East Bay Athletic League)," Monte Vista coach Mike Lambrecht said. "There is not much that separates those five teams. I'm proud of my team, we were in it until the end."

Who's Next? Amador will travel to rival Foothill for a 7 p.m. game on Wednesday in the North Coast Section semifinals. Monte Vista's season is complete.

The Bottom Line: The Dons dropped a pair of one-goal games to Monte Vista during the year and had lost five-straight to the Mustangs overall. After trailing 5-4 at the half, Amador's defense held Monte Vista scoreless the rest of the way.

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When the North Coast Section boys lacrosse playoffs began on Wednesday, there were five teams in the field with a legitimate shot at winning the whole thing.

For Monte Vista and Amador Valley, drawing the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds made their roads to the title a whole lot tougher.

After battling to a 5-5 tie through regulation, Amador's Mitch Flaherty ended Monte Vista's season with a goal less than a minute into extra time.

"Two weeks ago there was a five-way tie for first (in the East Bay Athletic League)," Monte Vista coach Mike Lambrecht said. "There is not much that separates those five teams. I'm proud of my team, we were in it until the end."

The Mustangs were whistled for a push 16 seconds into overtime and the extra-man advantage proved vital for the Dons.

"After we got the man-up, I knew I had to score," Flaherty said. "Monte Vista is a good offensive team, so we had to capitalize on that opportunity."

Flaherty's goal ended Monte Vista's five-game winning streak against the Dons. In that span, the Mustangs outscored Amador by six goals.

"Monte Vista played a clean, fast, smart game," Amador coach Rory Manley said. "They're well coached and a great team."

Ryan Lieber, who will play lacrosse at U.C. Santa Barbara next year, and Casey  Hock both scored a pair goals for the Mustangs. Cody Soberanes, who is headed to Canisius to play lacrosse, tallied the other Monte Vista goal.

Bryant Univeristy-bound goalie Nico Dutra made nine saves for the Mustangs.

"My hat's off to Amador," Lambrecht said. "But we have a lot of young players who'll be back next year."

Amador plays at top-seeded Foothill on Wednesday at 7 p.m., in the semifinals.

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Amador Valley 6, Monte Vista 5

Amador Valley (15-7) 2 2 1 0 1 — 6

Monte Vista (13-8)  2 3 0 0 0 — 5

Scoring: AV — Ewanich 2, Flaherty 2, Inderbitzen, Martinez. MV — Lieber 2, Hock 2, Soberanes.

Saves: Dutra (MV) 9, DeLuca (AV) 14.

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