The St. Margaret’s boys lacrosse team has been one of Orange County’s top programs for more than a decade, but it is still in search of its first CIF Southern Section title.
The Tartans are hoping to change that this season, which begins Saturday.
The Tartans have won Orange County and U.S. Lacrosse Southern Section titles, but since the CIF-SS took over the lacrosse playoffs three years ago the Tartans have had early playoff exits to other local power programs.
This season St. Margaret’s is arguably the most talented team in the county and this may be the season the Tartans make their first CIF-SS championship run.
“We have a deep and talented senior class that has shown tremendous leadership over the past few months and return the majority of our starters,” St. Margaret’s coach Brian Kelly said. “I’m really excited to see what this group can accomplish.”
Leading the talented group is Duke signee Austin Hicks, who may be the highest-ranked college recruit in Orange County history. Hicks had a team-high 84 points last season and earned All-County first-team honors.
“In over 20 years of coaching, Austin is as talented a player as I have been around,” Kelly said. “Not only is he supremely skilled, he has the size and athleticism to physically overwhelm opponents.”
St. Margaret’s also returns Bryant signee Conor McKenna and Mount St. Mary’s signee Adam Horcasitas at midfield. The defense is led by Hofstra signee Matt Arena and defensive midfielders Caswell Friedman and Jojo Samluck.
AROUND THE COUNTY
• Santa Margarita boys lacrosse team tied Mater Dei for the Trinity League championship last season, and the Eagles return many key contributors from last season. Returners Theo Le and Ryan Winters combined for 109 points last season and face-off specialist Zach Kim is also back.
• Foothill is the defending boys CIF-SS Division 1 champion and returns multiple All-County players. Attackmen Blake Wozniak and Connor Pietras return as well as midfielder Bode Jellerson and defenseman Dylan Eidsvold.
• Crean Lutheran reached the boys Division 3 championship game last season and got promoted this season to Division 1 or 2. The placement will be determined at the end of the regular season. Attackman Brody Wallace is back after scoring 43 goals last season as well as goalie Luke Beteag.
• The Foothill girls team has won every CIF-SS Division 1 championship in dominant fashion. Sophomore Kayla Agarie is expected to be the team’s top scorer along with Brynn Perkins.
• The Sunset League is the deepest girls lacrosse league in the county. Meg Vanis (Corona del Mar), Brooklyn Peters (Edison) and Casey Sharbrough (Newport Harbor) are top players in the league.
• San Clemente’s girls team is once again the favorite to win the South Coast League. Twins Charlotte and Sophia Yeskulsky combined for 189 points last season and are back for their junior seasons.
• El Dorado might be the best county girls team in Division 3 this season. Junior Mikka Oda earned All-County honors last season after tallying 118 points.
