Defense Key as Sea Hawks Seek Title Shot

The offense has garnered the most attention this season, leading the Redondo Union High girls lacrosse team to its sparkling 16-2 record. But the Sea Hawks would not be playing for the U.S. Lacrosse Northern Division championship tonight were it not for a stellar defense that has been as staunch as the offense has been potent.

Ava Elsner, Allyson Barry and Sabrina Vuenvia have been the iron-clad barrier, denying opposing teams' offensive forays and bolstering the Sea Hawks' lopsided goals against versus goals scored average. Redondo Union has allowed only 4.1 goals per game while scoring just over 17, and hopes this double-edged blade is sharp as ever when it plays Cate School of Carpinteria in the Northern Division final.

Originally scheduled to be played at Chaminade College Prep in Chatsworth, the game has been switched to Redondo Union. Starting time is 5 p.m.

The revenge factor surely will come into play. It was Cate that put a bitter conclusion to Redondo Union's season last year, when it trounced the Seahawks 18-6 in the Northern Division finals.

But the senior-laden Redondo Union squad is intent on designing a different story ending this time around. The Sea Hawks come in off a 15-5 playoff shellacking last Saturday of Dunn School. Cate, meanwhile, escaped with an 11-10 victory over upset-minded Palisades Charter. Redondo Union will have to keep a special watch out for Cate's Stephanie Ruys de Perez, who blistered Palisades Charter with seven goals.

Cate split two meetings this year with its league rival Dunn, which gave Redondo Union co-head coach Tom Borgia a barometer, at least on paper.

"Cate is very similar to Dunn,'' Borgia said. "We're not going to overlook anyone. But we just have to play our regular game, which is to be patient on offense and move the ball around.''

Redondo Union's defense has been the feeder for the team's offense, with Elsner being the main spooner, according to Borgia.

"She has an unbelievable nose for the ball, she's very aggressive, she knows the game and she knows what you can and can't do on defense,'' Borgia said. "A standing joke among the team is Ava's elbow, as in 'Put an Ava's elbow into the (opponent).' She has an unbelievable stick, she never turns the ball over, and she controls a 30-yard stretch of the field.''

The work of Elsner, Barry and Vuenvia, was key in the growth of freshman goalie Heather Czech, who is the words of Borgia, "has been terrific.'' Czech made 12 saves in the victory over Dunn.

Borgia and co-head coach Erin Garnsey put the Sea Hawks through a rigorous practice Monday in preparation for today's game, focusing primarily on defense, an unglamorous but essential component to Redondo Union's title hopes.