Portola’s four-sport star Jadyn Zdanavage battled until the end in CIF lacrosse final

Jadyn Zdanavage of Portola maintains possession in Saturday’s CIF final against Huntington Beach. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Orange County’s leading scorer, Portola High School senior Jadyn Zdanavage, wrapped up a stellar four-sport career leading the Bulldogs lacrosse team to their best season in school history.

Portola finished 20-2 and captured its first Pacific Coast League title. The Bulldogs lost to Huntington Beach 12-9 in the CIF Division 3 championship at Downey High School Saturday. Zdanavage led her team with six goals.

It was quite a senior season for Zdanavage who set school records for goals (134) and points (156). Zdanavage also extended her school record for career goals (332), points (415), assists (83), ground balls, draw controls and caused turnovers.

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Zdanavage was a four-sport standout at Portola, also excelling in cross country, track and basketball. She plans to run track and cross country at University of Michigan.

She and her teammates tried to battle back from an early deficit Saturday, but came up short. After the match, Zdanavage said she was proud of her teammates and had fond memories of her career at Portola.

“We kept fighting, that’s one of the things that we’re really good at, working hard regardless of what the score is knowing it was our last game, whether we won or we lost really helped to motivate us,” she said after Saturday’s match.

“Hopefully, I left a legacy and they can pass it on to the next team and just pass it on in the later years, I want to see them do amazing next year. I can’t wait to watch them and see what they do. Hopefully, they know that we are capable of anything we put our minds to and hopefully next year it will be their year.”

Zdanavage will now prepare for the next chapter of her career at Michigan.

“I’m really excited, it’s a really great opportunity to run at the University of Michigan. I’m looking forward to it and I’m really grateful for the past four years in high school athletics at Portola. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to wear it (the Portola name) across my chest.”

She also expressed her gratitude to those who have helped her.

“My parents have been great all throughout high school and even youth athletics and I’m grateful for all they’ve done,” she said. “And also, the coaches, I couldn’t have done it without them, they’ve allowed me to play as many sports as I’ve been able to play and without them and my parents I wouldn’t be who I am today. And these girls, I wouldn’t be the person I am, I’m very grateful for them.”

Zdanavage’s coaches will undoubtedly miss her.

“This was her last lacrosse game so I’m sure it’s emotional,” said Portola Coach Jeralyn Newton. “It’s her lasting legacy, she has set the tone for Portola girls lacrosse and that’s just so cool.”

Career highlights

— Two-time USA Lacrosse All-American

— Two-time All-CIF lacrosse (expected to be selected this year too)

— CIF state medalist cross country

— Two-time All-CIF state cross country

— Three-time CIF medalist, cross country

—-Three-time All-CIF cross country

—-Three time All-Pacific Coast League cross country

— Two-time All-Pacific Coast League lacrosse

—-Two-time All-PCL cross country individual champion

—-PCL 800-meter champion

—-Pacific Coast League cross country MVP

— Achieved 15 varsity letters

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