Royal girls lacrosse stays perfect with CIF-SS first-round win

The Royal High girls lacrosse team kept its nerve to stay perfect.

Sophomore Annabelle Isaacs finished with four goals and an assist and senior Lauren Reed had three goals and two assists as the unbeaten Highlanders pulled away in the second half for a 12-8 win over visiting Santa Monica on Tuesday, April 28, in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 playoffs.

“We just decided to be a little more patient with the ball and kind of think things through,” said Royal coach Cathe Utterback. “We slowed our offense up and that helped us.”

Junior Kate Clouser had two goals and an assist, senior Sammy Kern scored two goals, and sophomore Hurley Casilli had a goal and two assists as Royal improved to 17-0.

“Once we calmed down, we pushed through and got a couple more goals,” Utterback said. “We were able to wind it down.”

The Royal High girls lacrosse team opened the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 playoffs with a 12-8 win over visiting Santa Monica on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

The Marmonte League champion Highlanders, who entered the postseason with a school record for wins in a season, won a playoff game for the third straight season.

Royal will visit San Juan Hills in Thursday’s second round. Royal’s 2024 season ended with a home playoff loss to San Juan Hills, 13-12.

Royal is the only undefeated lacrosse team left in the Southern Section, boys or girls. Although that wasn’t enough for a top seed in Division 2, per the section’s “competitive equity” system.

“We’re not really thinking about it that much,” Utterback said. “It’s great when we win. But we’re not really thinking about that. We’re going one game at a time, because we have some tough teams ahead of us.”

Division 2

Huntington Beach 15, Newbury Park 10: The Panthers’ season ended at 13-7 with a first-round loss on the road.

Division 3

Simi Valley 14, Dana Hills 1: The Pioneers advanced to the second round with a dominant performance at home. Simi Valley (14-6) will visit Westridge in Thursday’s second round.