Pali High Lacrosse Is Back Where It Belongs

Dolphins Defeat Hamilton 19-9 to Reclaim City Boys Lacrosse Title

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

There can be no greater motivation than a heartbreaking defeat, like the one the Palisades High boys lacrosse team suffered at the hands of Birmingham in the section final last spring.

That was the Dolphins’ first loss ever to a City opponent and for the next 12 months it resonated in the hearts and minds of the returning players, who made it their mission this season to take back what once belonged to them and send a message that Palisades is still the City’s gold standard.

Fast forward to Friday night in Lake Balboa where the mission was accomplished and the message was made loud and clear as the Dolphins trounced Hamilton 19-9 to reclaim the City title at  Birmingham High.

“It was very sad for us not to win last year and we definitely didnt’t want to let that happen again,” said sophomore Macchio Rissone, who led the Dolphins with six goals and two assists. “At the start of the game we were a little cocky and nervous. I had butterflies in my stomach, but once we scored we settled down and started communicating better.”

Hamilton won the opening face-off and scored on a scramble  in front of Palisades’ goal nine seconds into the game. The Yankees scored again exactly one minute later to go ahead 2-0, but Jake Takakjian got one back for Palisades midway through the first quarter.

Rissone tied it 2-2 with just 22 seconds gone in the second quarter and netted two more goals to give Palisades a 5-2 lead with 6:28 left in the first half.

Three quick goals to start the third quarter gave the Dolphins a 9-4 cushion and the lead gradually increased from there.

“We came out a little flat, but  we have good chemistry and focused more on defense after the first quarter,” Takakjian said.

It marked a triumphant beginning for coach Kevin Donovan, who took over a few weeks before the season began and announced after Friday’s game he’ll be returning next spring.

“I’m all about systems and fundamentals and I knew there’d be an adjustment period, but I  think the guys know what’s expected of them now,” Donovan said. “Winning City is great, but it’s all about buiilding a program and it starts with getting a summer camp going, which I’m going to do. It’s a gradual process, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Takakjian ended up with four goals and two assists, Jack O’Rourke had three goals and goalie Spencer Au made nine saves for the Dolphins, who hugged each other in joy relief when the clock ran out.

“Next year the goals will be even higher,” Takakjian said. “We still want to win City but we want to go further in the Southern Section playoffs.”

Palisades was seeded No. 1 after twice beating the Yankees in league play and blanking Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences 15-0 in the semifinals.

Hamilton pulled to within 12-8 with 9:40 left but the Dolphins responded with three goals to pad the lead.

Former coach Bryan Cuthbert watched from the stands and raced to the field afterwards to congratulate the Dolphins.

In the preceding girls final, Palisades sought to beat reigning champion Birmingham for the second time, having come from behind to stun the Patriots 6-5 in  the teams’ previous meeting at Stadium by the Sea.

Back on home turf, Birmingham scored three quick goals and  led 5-0 by halftime. Coach Betsy Economou implored the Dolphins not to quit and they responded with three second-half goals – the first two by senior  Mariam Zafar-Khan and the last by freshman Sammy Stahl. Goalie Katie Sabini had nine saves in Palisades’ 7-3 defeat.

“It’s not our home field, the speed is different on grass,” Zafar-Khan said. “We believed we’d come back. If you have a shot you can’t be afraid to take it. This is the most fast-paced game in the world. You give us nine seconds, we’ll give you a goal. If this was my last game, I’m proud of how we played.”