The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The Long Beach Wilson girls’ lacrosse team knows what it takes to win the Moore League title.
The Bruins continued to prove that on Wednesday as they went on the road and defeated Lakewood 16-1 to open league play and take their first step to repeating as champs and winning for the fourth time in five years.
Seniors Megan Ligenza and Amelia Nulty led the way as they each scored four goals in a dominating team performance as Wilson had eight Bruins score.
“We came out strong,” Nulty said. “First quarter was a little bit slower, but we picked it up in the end and I’m really happy with our win. I think we’ll have a good shot this season.”
The Lancers came out looking to go shot-for-shot with the Bruins and Nori Vivao tied the game 1-1 in the first when she launched a shot from 10-yards out that flew past the Bruins’ goalkeeper.
However, that’s when Wilson started to lock in defensively and a Charlotte Forman goal started a run for the Bruins as they took a 3-1 lead after the first quarter.
The Bruins continued that into the second as four Bruins scored including Nulty who scored her second as Wilson took a 7-1 lead at halftime.
“We’re trying to prepare our team for a long season,” Wilson coach Vic Escoto said of his team’s overall performance. “We see each team twice and everybody’s running and gunning for us. The Team knows that and knows that teams are going to be a little more polished and they’re ready to play.”
Nulty led the Bruins to start the third quarter as they scored six in the frame to take a 13-1 lead. Ligenza scored three goals in the second half to lead the team. Wilson went on a 13-0 run after the first quarter to complete a dominating win.
“Honestly, our team always in the first quarter – we just have to get our bearings around us,” Ligenza said of the Bruins’ slow start. “Then we always come in hard in the second quarter and we have the best coach ever who really energizes us and he has the best positivity ever.”
For Lakewood, coach Fernando Viramontes was proud of how his team fought in the first to give them an idea of what they’ll need to do moving forward in league action.
“I think we’ll be in better positions,” Viramontes said. “And I think if Vivao can keep learning how to take more shots and lead on offense – I don’t think anyone’s going to be able to block that shot.”
Wilson will be back in action next Tuesday when they continue league action against Downey and Lakewood will be back at home to take on Irvine on Friday.
