The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
An argument could be made that the Moore League girls’ lacrosse season doesn’t really start until Wilson plays Downey. Since the sport’s inception in 2022, the two programs have alternated (and even shared) winning the league title, and their bi-annual meetings have become appointment viewing for fans of the sport.
To no one’s surprise, Tuesday evening’s clash at Wilson High needed extra time to produce a winner, but not too much extra. Wilson junior Fiona Tanioco needed just 13 seconds into overtime to score the game-winner for the Bruins, leading her team to an exciting 3-2 victory over the visiting Vikings.
“it was an amazing effort by both teams,” said Wilson head coach Vic Escoto. “Neither of us want to go away with a loss on that one. Especially going to Downey and going into overtime, we won in triple overtime on their field last year. It was nice to get this overtime done real quickly by Fiona. So overall, a huge team win.”
Tanioco was a fitting game winner for Wilson, given her experience against the Vikings during last season’s overtime clash. She scored what she thought was the golden goal in that meeting, only to have it waved off by a crease violation, which she said was “a heartbreaker.” But on Tuesday evening at Wilson, she was the one breaking Downey’s hearts.
“I would say it was my revenge goal,” Tanioco said. “This made me really happy; this made my year. I didn’t expect to score so quickly, their pressure was pretty good, but I think it was just amazing that I got that chance. I saw an opening and thought, ‘I have to shoot.’”
In a low-scoring battle, goals were certainly at a premium. Tanioco scored two of the Wilson goals on the night, with Megan Ligenza accounting for the other in the opening period, helping the Bruins to a 1-0 lead at halftime.
After Tanioco scored in the third to give the Bruins a two-goal advantage, the Vikings were able to battle back behind Larissa Garcia, who scored twice in the fourth quarter to get Downey back level.
Senior Emerson May was her typical self in the Wilson goal and was tough to beat, collecting a total of six saves while holding the Vikings off the scoreboard for the first 38 minutes of action.
On the other side of the field, Downey goalies Cecilia Castaneda and Mia Yepez each had five saves as they alternated halves between the posts.
As the teams opened the overtime period, Wilson scored about as quickly as you can, with Tanioco knifing through the Vikings’ defense to her left and putting the game-winner away after just 13 seconds.
“The quickest one that I’ve been involved with, yes,” said Escoto of the golden goal.
“I don’t know how to describe the feeling, but it’s just amazing,” said Tanioco of being the hero. “Because we worked so hard, especially against Downey, because we’re on each other’s level. But for us to push through it and work as a team and get those goals in, it’s just an amazing feeling.”
Both teams will be back in action with important games on Thursday. Downey will host Millikan at 6: 30 p.m. while Wilson is hosting Long Beach Poly at 4:30 p.m.
