Helix: 10th straight field hockey crown

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: November 29, 2023

Highlanders share title with Santana

2023 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior Writer

LA MESA — The following pair of statements may sound contradictory, yet both are true.

1. Congratulations to the Helix Highlanders for completing their decade of dominance, capturing a 10th consecutive Grossmont League title in girls field hockey.

2. Equally, congratulations to the Santana Sultans for garnering their first-ever league banner in girls field hockey.

Confused? The schools split their season series, while sweeping every other league opponent. Thus, for the first time in nearly a decade, the Grossmont League features co-champions in the sport.

The decision came down to fairness and basic math.

Santana finished with a 5-1 mark in league play, taking the second meeting with Helix to rally back to gain the split, adding a new flag to hang in the school gymnasium which already features girls basketball, softball and gymnastics among many others).

“We entered the season knowing that we were rebuilding and that it would be a tough season,” said 6th-year Helix head coach Rhona St. Clair.”We were very challenged by our non league opponents and as usual, this prepares us for our League contests.”

Thus, Helix ran its streak of league titles to 10 as the league’s only champion after El Capitan took the lingual banner in 2012.

6thHelix and El Cap then shared crowns in both 2013 and 2014 at 9-1 each, with the Highlanders taking every title ever since — the 2020 pennant race was not granted due to COVID-19.

Thus, seven outright titles — backed by a resounding 63-1 composite record over thos seven season — fueled the streak to nine straight.

However, with Santana taking a 2-1 road triumph on on at Benton Hart Stadium on Oct. 24, the Sultans posted their breakthrough victory.

Santana (12-5 overall) gained the No. 3 seed in Division 2 for the CIF San Diego Section playoffs.

Helix (7-16-1 overall) had a difficult season, yet did defeat Santana in the teams’ first meeting to gain a share of the league.In CIF postseason play, the Scotties fell in the first round to Mission Vista, 4-1.

Helix players 10, 11 & 8.

Coaches’ comments

Helix head coach Rhona St. Clair:

“Yesica Tula and Karoline Domingues were voted to the first-team all-Grossmont League team.

Katie Evans, Morgyn Miller and Alex Arapostathis made the second team all league.

Our leading scorers were Morgyn Miller (10th) and Katie Evans (12).

Shot by Helix No. 15

Katie is good close to the goal while Morgyn has an impressive flick and scores from the top of the circle.

Our top defenders were Yesica Tula Alonso(12) and Annie Clarke(12). The two held down the center of the field and worked very well together.

Karoline Domingues (11) is a speedy midfielder that has amazing stickwork and easily switched from defensive to attacking positions.

Another versatil player that was impactful to our success was Alex Arapostathis(10).Our senior goalie was Nirely Nuevo (pictured, right).

We are losing eight seniors so as we look forward to next year it will be another challenging one.