Despite getting off to a 2-10 start and enduring a seven-game losing streak, the Calabasas Coyotes Boys’ Lacrosse team has exhibited signs of life and grit. They’ve won three of their last five games, with the most recent being a 9-8 win over El Camino Real High School.
In a game defined by momentum swings and physical play, the Coyotes struck first with senior Edan Simon and junior Kamden Grof goals to build an early 2-0 lead. Goalie Asher Katz set the tone defensively with a pair of crucial saves, while Josh Bennish delivered a jarring hit that energized the sideline and signaled a no-nonsense approach from Calabasas.
“They beat us last year on our senior night,” said defensive midfielder Josh Bennish. “We wanted to do it for our former teammates and give 110% effort on every play.”
By the end of the first quarter, the Coyotes were up 3-0, capitalizing on El Camino’s sloppy passing and converting on transition chances, including a goal by long stick midfielder Lucas Glazer. Simon continued his strong outing in the second quarter, scoring his second of the night to make it 4-0 before a Calabasas penalty allowed El Camino to narrow the deficit to 4-1. However, senior Milad Toufighi won the ensuing faceoff and dished it to Matthew Miller for a near-instant answer.
El Camino, however, wasn’t going away quietly. Behind a flurry of three goals in under four minutes, they cut Calabasas’ lead to just one. Miller then fired back with a long-range shot to momentarily give Calabasas some breathing room before the Royal’s captain, Matthew Belden, struck again, bringing the halftime score to 6-5.
The third quarter was a defensive standoff, with both sides trading possessions but failing to capitalize. Royals’ senior Blake Carrera finally broke the ice with a long goal and tied it at 6-6 with seven minutes left in the quarter. Katz continued to come up big in goal to keep things even as the Coyotes survived a late El Camino barrage.
In the fourth, Simon broke the deadlock with his third goal of the game, followed by a clutch finish from Miller that stretched the lead to 8-6. After another Royals goal from Carrera, Miller added an early dagger with under three minutes to go. El Camino scored once more to make it 9-8 and nearly sent the game into overtime with a shot that ricocheted off the post in the final seconds. However, Calabasas held on to secure the win and immediately swarmed Katz after his phenomenal seven-save performance.
Miller continued his stellar senior season, scoring four more goals to bring his total to 51 on the year. The Coyotes also dominated on face-offs, with sophomore Jake Sesser winning seven of his ten attempts. Glazer turned in his best performance of the season, registering a goal and two assists, along with a game-high 12 ground balls.
Tonight, Calabasas will aim for their first Marmonte League win as they host Newbury Park at home.
