After a historic season that saw the Saugus boys’ lacrosse team win its sixth-consecutive Foothill League title and first postseason win since 2023, the Centurions fell at home Wednesday to the Mira Costa Mustangs, 14-8, and were eliminated from the Division 2 California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section playoffs.
“I think it was pretty even in the midfield. They made some adjustments at halftime, and they inverted their offense and got the ball into the right guy’s hands,” Saugus head coach Josh Ireland said. “We were just tired on defense, and we play a long run of defense in the second half and it got the better of us.”
In the first half, the Centurions came out of the gates and took an early two-goal lead over Mira Costa.
With 36 seconds remaining in the opening frame, the Mustangs tied the match at two apiece, but the Centurions bagged a goal late with five seconds remaining off a shot from Saugus’ Maverick Kret.
With the Saugus faithful roaring in excitement, the Centurions carried the early momentum into the second quarter.
The Centurions bagged two more goals in the opening minutes of the second quarter and took a 5-2 lead over Mira Costa and looked poised to run away with the game.
But in the latter half of the second quarter, the Mustangs came back and tied the game back up at five apiece, prompting Ireland to call a timeout with a few seconds remaining in the half.
When the Centurions came out of the break, Saugus claimed the lead right back from Mira Costa off a timely goal from senior Kaden Barcus.
With a one-goal lead going into the second half, the game seemed to be a back-and-forth thriller. But the Mustangs came out and switched the tempo in the second half and held Saugus at bay as Mira Costa scored four goals in the third quarter.
After the game, Ireland said Mira Costa simply adjusted its gameplan where the Centurions couldn’t. And when Saugus scored a few late goals in the fourth quarter, it wasn’tquick enough.
“This game is all about matchups,” he said. “Getting our best defenders on their best offensive players. And when they flip and they take their attack and they move them to the top, we have to make adjustments. And we just didn’t make adjustments quick enough.”
By the end, the Mustangs took the win at Saugus High School, 14-8, and eliminated the Centurions from the playoffs.
For Ireland, although the loss hurts in the moment, he was quick to console his players and especially his seniors who have spent multiple years with the program.
Ireland said he didn’t want the season to end but reflected that the 2026 season is one to remember.
“It’s bittersweet. We’re sad that we lost, but it’s been a fantastic season,” he said. “We’ll say goodbye to the seniors. They’re leaving a big mark on the team, but we got underclassmen that are willing to fill in. We’ll start practice sometime in the fall and we’ll be ready to go again.”
