BY TERRY MONAHAN - Staff writer | Posted: April 14, 2010 10:12 am | No Comments Posted | Print

LA COSTA ---- Westview High entered a place it had never been before in girls lacrosse.

Undefeated thus far entering the Palomar League opener for both teams, the Wolverines went to La Costa Canyon, which has won four CIF San Diego Section championships since 2005. Westview has never even reached the finals.

Despite that disparity, it took the Mavericks until the final 17 seconds to put away the visitors for a 10-9 victory on Tuesday.

Roxy Alei, a senior, tallied the game-winner during a scramble in front of the goal. With Westview goalie Lindsey Warrick away from her net for a split second, Alei flicked at a ball on the ground and it went into the net.

"Coach always says not to take shots like that,'' said Alei, who scored three goals in the game. "I just went on instinct. I knew there wasn't much time left, so I just flicked at it.

"It was just a bad shot that went in.''

With 1 minute, 5 seconds remaining, Westview (11-1, 0-1) called a time out and scored the tying goal 20 seconds later. Kimi Fischer's only goal of the game ---- off an assist from Rachel Minarovich ---- with 45 seconds left.

It was the third time in the game Westview, which had two shots hit the post and had two free position shots that skipped just wide of the Mavericks' net in the waning minutes, drew even with La Costa Canyon (4-3, 1-0).

"After the game we asked the girls how many thought we could come here and win and only a few of them raised their hands,'' Westview coach Aubrey Cline said. "After the game they all raised their hands.

"In a big game for us, we brought it.''

In the end, La Costa Canyon brought it when it counted the most.

After the game was tied 2-2, the Mavs scored three straight goals for a 5-2 lead. After Cline called a timeout, the Wolverines scored three of the game's next four goals to draw close 6-5 at halftime.

That's when Westview hit the post twice with shots.

La Costa Canyon tried to control the momentum again with three of the first four goals in the second half for a 9-6 lead.

Westview closed in again on Holly Hayes' goal with 14 minutes left which was followed by Minarovich's third goal with 12:13 to play to trail just 9-8.

La Costa Canyon had a free position shot with Warrick way out of the net but the shot deflected wide. The Mavs had two more free position shots that failed, setting the stage for Westview's final timeout.

"I thought we were going overtime there, and so did the girls,'' LCC coach Sara Fraschetti said. "With the ball on the ground there, Roxy was the perfect one to be there. She has blinders on. She'll get to any ball on the ground.''

And just in time.

"I didn't want to go to overtime,'' Alei said. "My heart sank a little when they tied it 9-9, but it would have sunk more if that goal would have given them the game.

"I was surprised it went in. I told coach after the game, 'Bad shot, huh?' ''

Not when it wins the game.