DOWNEY — The third time was a charm for the Foothill boys lacrosse team.

Foothill beat Loyola 9-8 to win its first CIF-SS Division 1 championship Friday at Downey High after being runner-up the last two seasons.

The Knights won eight championships in the previous US Lacrosse playoff system, but Friday they won their first title since the CIF-SS took over the playoff system in 2021.

“This is not the most talented group we’ve had but they came together the most as a team better than any other team I’ve had,” Foothill coach Jon Fox said. “I love being able to shake the commissioner’s hand and hold that trophy.”

“Words can’t describe how I’m feeling right now,” senior Luke Fox said. “I’ve dreamed about this since I was in second grade coming to games and watching Foothill win championships.”

Foothill beats Loyola 9-8 to win its first CIF-SS Division 1 championship. Four goals for Luke Fox. 3 for Bode Jellerson including the game-winner. @ocvarsity @SteveFryer @Tarek_Fattal @latsondheimer @FHSLaxNews @OCSportsZone @James_Escarcega pic.twitter.com/95TVXip24E

— Michael Huntley (@mikehuntley63) May 13, 2023

Foothill (18-6) had an 8-4 lead with just over eight minutes remaining in the game. Loyola (13-4) scored four unanswered goals in six minutes to tie the game.

With two minutes remaining, Bode Jellerson caught a pass on the right corner, drove to the goal and scored to give the Knights a 9-8 lead.

“Our coach set up a good clear for us, I got to open space, got the diagonal pass from my long-pole and saw some grass,” Jellerson said. “Instinctually I got my feet going and realized they didn’t have any help coming, so I ran to the goal, got my hands free and it went in.”

Loyola had the ball in the final minute but the Foothill defense, led by Landon Mokhtari, Jackson Bennett and Eric Oman, forced a turnover to give the Knights possession with 27 seconds remaining.

Luke Fox scored four goals to lead Foothill’s offense. The four goals gave him a school-record 122 points this season, breaking the previous record of 121 set by Nate Marano in 2015.

Foothill goalie Cohen Krudwig had 14 saves. This was the first year being a full-time goalie for Krudwig, who is also a hockey player.

Trent Turner scored three goals for Loyola and had an assist. Benjamin Horowitz and Cash Ginsberg each scored twice for the Cubs.

Foothill had a tough road to the championship, having to beat St. Margaret’s, Mater Dei and Corona del Mar in the earlier rounds. The Knights lost to Mater Dei and Corona del Mar in the regular season, but redeemed themselves in the playoffs.

“We saw the bracket when it came out and some of us had some doubts because we knew it would be tough,” Jellerson said. “We went on a crusade and took down some big names to get it done.

“I wept like a little baby when that horn blew and we won that thing. So many friendships and bonds created around this game over the years and it felt really good to win this one for our school.”

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