Defender Noa Magbanua (12) surveyed the field as a Poway attacker advanced towards the goal with the ball. Westview was up by one, 6-5, in the fourth quarter, but with a last-minute turnover, Poway now had an opportunity to score and put the game into overtime. The clock ticked away, and the pressure was on as Westview’s defense marked up on the opposing players.
Suddenly, the buzzer rang across the field, and boys lacrosse erupted in cheers as the victory closed out one of its biggest rivalry games of the season against Poway with a 6-5 win, April 17.
“It was super intense, definitely our closest game,” Magbanua said. “I was nervous the entire game.”
According to goalie Kaden Thakkar (12), the game was made more exciting because many Westview and Poway players practiced together in the offseason. Going into the game, the players knew each other, which Thakkar said fueled their desire to win even more.
“Knowing them personally got us fired up,” Thakkar said. “We were all talking to each other a lot before the game, and that really got us [excited] to play”
The game wasn’t always as close as it was in the final moments. Westview opened the game with three first-quarter goals to jump out to an early 3-0 lead. Magbanua said the team kept their energy and intensity up throughout the game.
“Even though we got the lead, it still felt like we were tied,” Magbanua said. “It felt really close and exciting in the first quarter, and I was just hoping we could hold that lead for the rest of the game.”
After two more goals by Westview and one by Poway, the game was set at 5-1 in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Poway made a comeback with four goals. Halfway through the fourth quarter, Nick Slover (12) ripped a shot from the crease, sending it right into the back of the goal, putting the score at 6-5.
“We extended the lead to 5-1, and by then we felt confident, but we knew they were talented and capable enough to come back,” Thakkar said. “In the third quarter, they started to score more, then in the fourth quarter, they tied it up,but we ended up locking it down.”
According to Magbanua, Westview’s defense excelled during the game, using strong communication and quick slides to secure the win.
“I think the defense played the best they did all year,” Magbanua said. “We were super good at communicating this game, and everyone seemed to care and played with a lot of intensity.”
Magbanua said that reviewing film prior to the game and becoming familiar with Poway’s playing style greatly contributed to their win.
“Our coaches watched film on their offensive sets, and our defense prepped for exactly what they did,” Magbanua said. “We were able to lock down plays and what their game plan was, which was why it was such a low-scoring game.”
According to Thakkar, this was the first time the current coaches and players on the team beat Poway.
“None of our coaches had ever beaten Poway, and no one on the team had ever beaten Poway before, so it was a great feeling to finally beat them,” Thakkar said.
Magbanua said that they are going to use this game as motivation going into their final matches of the season and CIFs, with the team hoping to secure a CIF Championship win.
“We’re gonna carry that energy for Mt. Carmel during Senior Night for sure,” Magbanua said. “Throughout CIFs are games that we all should be able to win, including the championship. We should be able to carry our energy and win.”
