Boys Lacrosse: Advantage Mustangs in Father-Son Battle

When Mike Lambrecht accepted the job as the boys lacrosse coach at Monte Vista High before the 2009 season, he knew coaching against Foothill would always be an emotional experience.

Not only did Lambrecht spend seven years as an assistant coach at Foothill, but his son, Mikey — a midfielder in the Foothill program — was set to begin his junior year.

"Last year, it tore me up," Lambrecht said. "This year, I'm more excited for him and proud of what he's accomplished."

The Falcons took the first meeting between the two schools and through a quarter of Tuesday's rematch at Foothill, they appeared on their way to win No. 2. Mikey Lambrecht scored an early goal and assisted Scott Wheaton on a second to put Foothill up 2-0.

Then everything changed.

Monte Vista scored six-straight, second-quarter goals en route to a 9-4 East Bay Athletic League win.

"We clamped down on D and were really smart with our possessions," Monte Vista's Lambrecht said. "This was a complete team win."

The win keeps the Mustangs (8-5, 6-3 EBAL) a game-behind San Ramon Valley and De La Salle in the league standings and pulls them into a tie with Foothill (10-4, 6-3).

"I like our chances," Lambrecht said of the league title. "We're in a good position to make a run at it."

Monte Vista has already beaten its next three league opponents this year — California, Granada and Livermore — and will finish the year with De La Salle and San Ramon.

And what does the result mean for the Lambrecht home?

"There's a lot of trash talk around the house," the elder Lambrecht said. "Just normal, father-son stuff, but I think (the situation) has actually brought us closer together."

Lambrecht tacked on another assist for Foothill in the third quarter and was one of the team's most active players all game.

After Ryan Lieber got the Mustangs on the board with a goal early in the second quarter, Monte Vista tallied its next five goals in a span of 4 minutes, 54 seconds.
For Foothill coach Bob McManus, it came down to effort.

"Monte Vista wanted it more than us," he said. "They played hard and they played well."

The Falcons answered with a pair of goals late in the third quarter to cut the lead to 6-4, but Monte Vista retook control in the final quarter. Cody Saberenas scored his second and third goals of the game in the quarter to make it 8-4 and Lieber's third goal made it 9-4.

Goalie Niko Dutra was flawless in goal for the Mustangs making 13 saves.

Monte Vista 9, Foothill 4

Monte Vista (8-5, 6-3 EBAL) 0 6 0 3 — 9
Foothill (10-4, 6-3) 2 0 2 0 — 4

Scoring: Monte Vista— Liber 3, Sabrenas 3, Hessfeld, Hock, Welker. Foothill— Wheaton, Lambrecht, Garcia.

Saves: Krebs (F) 7, Dutra (MV) 13.