Girls Division II
La Jolla Country Day 16, Carlsbad 5

Nine seniors who mostly have played together since middle school led La Jolla Country Day to its first playoff win two years ago before losing to Carlsbad in the quarterfinals, then had to wait 15 months because of the coronavirus pandemic to reach their goal of a section title, which was achieved with a victory over the Lancers.

Senior Jenna Hernandez scored three of her four goals in the first half for the Torreys.

Though the championship was the goal, a 12-6 regular season win over powerful Bishop’s was the program’s first victory against that school, which signified to the LJCDS girls that this year’s undefeated squad was a championship contender.

“This group of seniors has been together since middle school and it took us four years, but we got a championship,” Hernandez said.

Senior Leilah Tashakorian, who scored three goals in a 19-9 semifinal win over Mount Carmel, scored four goals in the second half against Carlsbad to help the Torreys pull away after a 7-4 halftime advantage.

“It is just crazy to see that we were playing at such a young age together just for fun,” Tashakorian said. “When the pandemic hit, it broke our hearts, but when we got our chance this year to play, it was great to get a chance to face Carlsbad again, this time for a championship.”

Freshman Sophia DeJarnette also had four goals for LJCDS (15-0).

“We have a great support system, and our families are a big part of that,” Torreys head coach Christa DeMovellan said. “We call ourselves a sisterhood for a reason. We believe in each other, and it comes out big in games like this.”