Serra to Play for Field Hockey Title for 10th Year in Row

SAN DIEGO —  Serra High School’s field hockey team advanced to the section finals for the 10th season in a row Thursday by defeating Rancho Buena Vista, 3-1, at Serra.

The top-seeded Conquistadors (21-1) have won eight titles, losing only to Fallbrook (on strokes) in 1986. The section final is Saturday at noon at Diegueno Junior High in Encinitas.

Three minutes into the game, Serra’s Julia Taylor passed to Tina Montgomery on a corner play. Montgomery made a stick block at the top of the circle for Etheline Mendoza, who scored into the right corner of the net.

In the 25th minute, Kelsey Monagan took Ellen Springall’s crossing pass and scored to make it 2-0. Rancho Buena Vista (12-6) scored 2 minutes later (Mary Dicus on Venus Moll’s assist) to make it 2-1 at the half.

Montgomery tipped in a shot by Monagan midway through the second half, and Serra coasted into the finals.

Said Monagan, “I don’t think we had a doubt in our minds that we were going to win. They’re a fast team, so they kept us on our toes. But we played indescribably today.”

Mira Mesa 2, Fallbrook 1--Natalie Cizik scored twice to lead Mira Mesa (18-2), which advances to the finals for the first time. Cizik’s first goal was assisted by Kisa West, and her second was unassisted. Fallbrook’s goal was scored by Emma Haynes. The Marauders had defeated Fallbrook, 3-0, thisseason.