Malibu Lacrosse Claws out Victory

With 11 seconds remaining in a crucial league game, junior captain Sean Ryan miraculously scored the game winner against Thousand Oaks on Friday, giving the Malibu High School boys varsity lacrosse team another league victory.

Ryan’s goal put an end to a back and forth contest that featured multiple lead changes before ending in a 10-9 Malibu victory. Malibu goalie Jake Wexler started out the scoring by bagging the game’s first goal, in the process fulfilling every goalie’s dream- a length of the field run, a great dodge, and a low and away shot that beat the opposing goalie. Wexler’s effort inspired the Sharks to an early 4-1 lead. 

Thousand Oaks was behind the entire first half but battled back to take the lead in the third quarter. Malibu’s shooters had plenty of opportunities but were consistently frustrated by the stellar play of TO’s sophomore goalie.

Junior midfielder Brennan Cassone began to control the face off circle in the second half, and helped the Sharks stay within one with a well placed bounce shot in the third quarter. 

Thousand Oaks stretched its lead to two goals midway in the 4^th quarter. Ryan’s second goal made it 9-8, and the Sharks tied it at nine when Patrick Wetton got topside on his defender with a beautiful drive around the crease.

On defense, long stick midfielder Daniel Levin helped control the center of the field, along with Cooper McDonnell, Kerns Churchill, and Harrison Smart. Sophomore Jonathan Shanley contributed at both midfield and attack.

The 5-1 Sharks next play at Oaks Christian on Wednesday 3/21 at 6pm.