DOWNEY >> The Foothill girls lacrosse team cruised Friday to an 18-9 win over Santa Margarita at Downey High School to win its second consecutive CIF-Southern Section Division 1 championship.

Foothill (21-1) won the inaugural CIF-SS Division 1 championship last season and has a 43-1 record in the last three seasons.

“They care about each other so much and it’s a family, so they work that much harder for each other in the offseason,” Foothill coach Cristina Rodriguez said. “That helps create the mojo that we have.”

“We are really blessed to have this team and this coaching staff come together,” senior midfielder Elena Torres said. “Everyone gave everything they had this season.”

Foothill jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game and was scoring at ease throughout the contest. The Knights had a 10-4 lead at halftime and led by as many as 10 goals in the second half.

Players on the Foothill girls lacrosse team celebrate with the trophy after winning the CIF-SS Division 1 title Friday, May 13. The Knights defeated Santa Margarita 18-9 in the final. (Photo by Michael Huntley, Contributor)

Junior Zoey Stephens had seven points (six goals, one assist) and Torres, a Villanova signee, had five goals.

Senior attack Taylor Puma had three goals and an assist. Torres, Stephens and Puma combined for 230 of the team’s 512 points this season.

“They bring so much passion, energy and fun to the game and that shows in how they play and that radiates to the rest of the team,” Rodriguez said. “We have other great scorers but those three always shine in the postseason. Those seniors deserved to go out with a bang and Zoey had an awesome junior year.”

Tatum Walshe, Mia Marchetti and freshman Brynn Perkins also scored for the Knights.

Midway through the second half, the Knights had a big lead and Rodriguez was able to get every healthy player some playing time. All three of Foothill’s goalies– Mikayla Yang, Kat Chavez and Jenna Cardeno — got playing time and each recorded a save.

“That’s one thing I really enjoy doing is getting our bench in because they help us get to where we are,” Rodriguez said. “We wouldn’t be able to be a top-seeded team and have the intensity we have without every single person on this team.”

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Santa Margarita (18-3) was the Trinity League champion this season and beat San Clemente and Redondo in the playoffs to reach the championship game.

Molly Jacobson had three goals Friday to lead the Eagles. Freshmen Catie Maroutsos and Paige Peters each scored twice for Santa Margarita.