University’s girls flag football team opens the CIF playoffs Tuesday. (Photo courtesy University athletics).
University High School’s girls flag football team wrapped up the regular season with a 35-24 victory over Portola Wednesday in a Pacific Coast League game at University.
The Trojans now prepare to open the CIF Division 2 playoffs Tuesday at Trabuco Hills.
University also hosted its first community night for flag football Wednesday, inviting all girls flag football players to attend.
“Our idea: celebrating and uniting the next generation of female flag football players,” said University Coach Jeff Marchiorlatti. “We had several youth teams from the Matt Leinart Females in Flag League and it was a huge success.”
It was also senior night for University, which finished the regular season 12-8 overall and third place in the PCL with a 9-5 record. We also recently had our senior night honoring Carmen Cruz and Lucy Novoa.”Â
Top players for University have been Carson Cruz, the quarterback, who has passed for 4,832 yards and is ranked 21st nationally, 12th in CIF and second in the PCL; Arden Marchiorlatti, who has 1,708 receiving yards, ranked 18th nationally, eighth in CIF and first in the PCL; Carmen Cruz, who had 91 flag pulls, 67th nationally, 34th in CIF and third in the PCL; Elyse Mills, who had 1,220 receiving yards, 61st nationally,
30th in CIF and fifth in the PCL; and Ella Anderson, who had 10 sacks, 104th nationally, 26th in CIF
and first in the PCL.
“We are very proud of some of the individual efforts our players put forth in helping our team succeed,” Coach Marchiorlatti said.
“We are excited for CIF (playoffs). Our team has embraced the concepts of focus, sacrifice, grit. We will need all three for a victory against a very formidable opponent in Trabuco Hills who brings a 13-3 record to the contest. We will really need to lean into the team with the next player up mentality as we have had some very unfortunate injury news: Carmen Cruz and Arden Marchiorlatti had a collision during practice and will be unavailable.
“So now, more than ever, we need to rally around one another, focus and show our grit. Thankfully, we have a very deep and talented roster.”
For full view, click on the photo:
Send flag football news to timburt@ocsportszone.com
More Stories
Orange County teams earn top seeds for inaugural CIF girls flag football playoffs (brackets)
Woodbridge girls flag football team goes undefeated for second straight league title
Crean Lutheran girls flag football team earns co-league championship with Cypress