Mira Costa lost its bid for back-to-back CIF championships Wednesday when the Mustangs fell to top-seeded Foothill 10-9 in the Division 2 semifinals held at William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center in Irvine.
Trailing 10-7 with less than three minutes remaining in regulation, fourth-seeded Mira Costa (24-7) pulled to within one goal with scores by Jake Miller-Tolt and Finn Pardon.
Foothill’s defense stiffened, however, and kept Mira Costa out of the next after the Mustangs gained possession with 44 seconds left.
Foothill (24-6) will face Los Osos (18-8) in the finals on Saturday. Los Osos eliminated No. 2 Dana Hills 9-7 in its semifinal game.
Mira Costa jumped out to a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter on goals by Miller-Tolt and Andrew Todd.
Foothill scored four unanswered goals and held a 4-3 lead at halftime. Both teams scored four goals in the third period and Foothill increased its lead with two straight goals in the fourth period.
Miller-Tolt led Mira Costa with four goals. Pardon added two goals and Ed Jeon, Christian Thornton and Todd each scored one goal.
Goalkeeper Nick Dale recorded seven saves for the Mustangs who reached the semifinals for the third consecutive year. Mira Costa captured the Division 3 last season.
