Boys Lax: Top-Seeded Foothill Cruises in Playoff Opener

No. 1 Foothill 15, No. 16 Marin Academy 3

Records: Foothill 16-4, Marin Academy 14-2

The Star: Senior Jason Koth earned the Game Ball for Foothill for his work on the defensive end, which included a few take away. 

The Turning Point: After Marin Academy scored the game's first goal, the Falcons went on a 10-0 run to end any hope Marin had for an upset.

The Quote: "We're expecting to win it all," Koth said. "It was crucial to get through the first game injury-free."

Who's Next?: Foothill will host No. 9 Acalanes on Friday at 7 p.m.

The Bottom Line: There was little doubt the Falcons would walk away from the game with a one-sided victory, but the road will get tougher from here. Acalanes has won seven of its last eight games and owns an early-season win against Amador Valley.

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If there has ever been an indicator as to how strong the East Bay Athletic League is in boys lacrosse, it was Foothill's 15-3 win against Marin Academy on Wednesday.

Marin Academy, a small private school from San Rafael, came into the North Coast Section first-round game sporting a 14-1 record.

The Wildcats had no chance at win No. 15 and Foothill knew it.

"It was crucial to get through the first game injury-free," Foothill senior Jason Koth said.

After MA scored the game's first goal, top-seeded Foothill closed the first half on a 9-0 to break it open. Gabe Garcia led the Falcons with four goals, while Seth Benson and Josh Rigor both added two.

With its tune-up game out the way, the EBAL champions are expecting the road to get much more difficult. However, expectations remain high.

"We're expecting to win it all," Koth said.

Foothill will host No. 9 Acalanes in the quarterfinals on Friday at 7 p.m. The Dons were 10-8 winners at Miramonte on Wednesday.

"Acalanes is a very good team," Foothill coach Bob McManus said. "But the EBAL season is tough and does a good job preparing us for the playoffs."

McManus credited the defense for its solid performance on Wednesday, in particularly the play of Koth, who was given the team's game ball.

"(Koth) had a couple takeaways and both goalies (Ben Krebs and Patrick Shevelson) played well," McManus said. 

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No. 1 Foothill 15, No. 16 Marin Academy 3

Marin Academy (14-2) 1 0 1 1 — 3

Foothill (16-4) 5 4 2 4 — 15

Scoring: MA — Zeff, Suddendorf, Peant. Foothill — Garcia 4, Benson 2, Rigor 2, Wheaton, Kacinski, Schall, Perry, Dutcher, Lambrecht.

Saves: MA — Beaudoen 8; Foothill — Krebs 2, Shevelson.

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