Crucial games loom for DHS lacrosse

DOWNEY - The Downey High School boys' lacrosse team currently has an overall record of 4-4 and a league record of 1-3.Downey is currently tied for fourth place in the Bay League standings with Beverly Hills and are ahead of Palos Verdes Peninsula and Culver City. The Vikings are led by senior defenseman and captain Nick Farina, senior midfielder and captain Chase Udelhofen, and junior goalie and captain Cesar Hernandez. The Vikings finished last season with an overall record of 6-10 and a league record of 3-9. The Vikings are poised and ready to improve upon last year's result. Coach Scott Witkin and his team continue to work hard in practice and improve. The Vikings play in a very challenging Bay League against such foes as last year's undefeated league champion Palos Verdes (12-0), Redondo Union, Mira Costa, Beverly Hills, Palos Verdes Peninsula and Culver City. Downey is the only San Gabriel Valley League team to field a lacrosse team. For this reason, the Vikings must travel to distant locations and play in a different league. The Vikings lost to Palisades 14-0 on 3/1, lost to Palos Verdes 18-2 on 3/4, defeated Manual Arts 12-0 on 3/6 and defeated West Ranch 13-4 on 3/8. The Vikings then defeated Huntington Park 23-1 on 3/11, lost to Palos Verdes 20-3 on 3/13, defeated Beverly Hills 7-6 on 3/18 and lost a tough game to Mira Costa 12-9 on 3/20. The Vikings hosted Redondo Union on Wednesday (score unavailable at press time). Downey will travel to Mira Costa on 4/12, travel to Culver City on 4/15 and then host Palos Verdes Peninsula on 4/17. Things are certainly heating up in Bay League play.

********** Published: March 28, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 50