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Daily Planet Correspondent 

Berkeley High’s girls lacrosse team faced two battles on Wednesday – one against Monte Vista and one against the ball. And they lost them both. 

The Mustangs didn’t go soft, capitalizing on the Yellowjackets’ passing problems and pumping out a 13-5 victory at the BHS football field. 

“Our passing problem really affected our game,” Berkeley’s Dani Ganes said. “A lot of our marks switched around. People didn’t pick up any of their marks or talk to each other on the field too well.” 

Assistant coach Nannette Sartoris saw the loss as a much wider problem on both Berkeley’s defensive and offensive sides, citing the team’s inability to execute their plays against an especially aggressive Monte Vista squad that has chalked up eight wins this season.  

Throughout the entire second half, Mustang attacker Erin Boer tripped up Berkeley’s players with interceptions and scooped up a cornucopia of dropped balls. On these occasions, Boer would use her speed to break the Yellowjacket defense, and managed to score five times in the second half. 

“We were really pumped up. We wanted to beat this team,” Boer said. “It all came together really well – the scoreboard proves that.” 

Ganes seemed to fight a lone battle on the field, seeing many of her passes mishandled by teammates. At one point, the BHS attacker shouted to a teammate: “Something has to get through your mind.” 

“They were doubling me on the field,” Ganes explained. “I’d throw the ball, but our players couldn’t get it. I feel a little let down. I don’t like how (Monte Vista) plays (the game). They’re not sportsmanlike and will do whatever it takes to get the ball – they don’t care who they hurt or push.”  

During the first half, Ganes cut her hand when a Mustang pushed her onto the turf. She was still able to play the rest of the game.  

Despite the problems on the defense, Berkeley had some high moments. Catherine Etzel managed three interceptions against the Mustangs to mitigate the mistakes made by the ’Jackets. Ganes followed up on the offensive end, with two goals in the second half. 

“We still fought all the way through,” BHS defender Elizabeth Howe said. “When they were up by three or four points, we got a little discouraged, but we never gave up.”