Portola girls lacrosse team meets challenges and enjoys record-setting season

Portola’s lacrosse team after a league victory over University. (Photo courtesy Chris Bank).

It’s been a record-setting season for the Portola High School girls lacrosse team which had its share of challenges before the season even started.

The team’s coach from last year moved out of state, so about three weeks before the start of the season, the Bulldogs were searching for a head coach. Jeralyn Newton and Samantha Ezratty, who have had mostly coached soccer before, stepped up. Joshua Stringer, who has some background in lacrosse but has coached mostly soccer, also helps out when he can.

“We knew it was going to take all three of us working together to help give the girls the season they deserved. Coach Ezratty and I took some online classes to learn the sport, held tryouts and then got into the groove,” said Newton, who teaches at Portola. “The girls really just needed someone to support them, believe in them, and give them structure and accountability for them to reach their full potential.”

The team has done just that with a 13-1 overall record (a program best) and a 9-1 mark atop the Pacific Coast League standings. Portola was ranked fourth in Division 3 in the latest CIF poll.

This week, Portola avenged a first-round loss to Woodbridge with a 12-6 Pacific Coast League victory over the Warriors.

“It’s been a roller coaster trying to get the season going for this group and they have overcome every obstacle,” Newton said. “I am so proud of them. Last night was the first time in the program’s history that we got a win against Woodbridge.”

Jadyn Zdanavage had seven goals and 12 ground balls to lead Portola in the win over Woodbridge. Malaika Fawzi scored two goals and three assists and goalkeeper Amy Bebawy saved seven of the 13 Woodbridge shots.

Several Portola players have achieved career milestones along the way this season. Zdanavage scored her 200^th goal on Tuesday, Feb. 28 against El Modena and also passed 400 ground balls in the win over Woodbridge.

Jadyn Kohan scored her 100^th high school goal on Wednesday, March 29 against University and Bebawy notched her 300^th high school career save on Monday, March 27 against Laguna Hills.

The Bulldogs will soon focus their attention on the CIF playoffs.

“I know the team has the potential to go far in playoffs but we still have a lot of work to do,” Newton said. “We need to stay strong and healthy, keep working hard and bonding as a team.”  

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com