Twelve local teams have been selected for the CIF-SS lacrosse playoffs, including unbeaten Marmonte League champion Royal High. They will host Santa Monica in the first round of the Division 2 playoffs on April 28.
Key points
Twelve local teams selected for CIF-SS lacrosse playoffs
Royal High is the Marmonte League champion
Royal High has an unbeaten record of 16-0
Royal High will host Santa Monica in the first round
Game scheduled for April 28
Royal HighSanta MonicaCIF-SS lacrosse playoffs
Twelve local teams selected for the CIF-SS lacrosse playoffs
Marmonte League champion Royal High will enter the CIF-Southern Section girls lacrosse playoffs unbeaten.
The 16-0 Highlanders will host Santa Monica (9-9) in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs on Tuesday, April 28.
"I’m just proud of our team," Royal coach Cathe Utterback said. "Their hard work is playing off. … It’s become part of our identity to win."
The Highlanders lead a quartet of Marmonte girls lacrosse teams into the postseason.
Newbury Park (13-6) will visit Huntington Beach (10-8) in the Division 2 first round on Wednesday, April 29.
The Panthers’ balanced attack includes senior Elliana Dorsi (63 goals), senior Sadie Le (49 goals), senior Maya Pantoja (47 goals), and junior Kaylee Meixner (33 goals, 32 assists).
Oaks Christian (86) is the third seed in the Division 3 bracket.
After a first-round bye, the Lions will either host La Canada (8-7) or Mission Viejo (12-8) in Thursday’s second round.
Simi Valley (12-3) will host Dana Hills (8-11) in the Division 3 first round Tuesday. Maylee Doepking and Gianna Ryan have 58 goals and 56 goals, respectively, for the Pioneers.
BOYS
Eight local boys teams were seeded, led by Marmonte League champion Westlake (10-10) in the CIF-SS Division 2.
The Warriors will host Anaheim-Canyon (7-7) in Wednesday’s first round.
The Division 3 field is filled with local entries, led by top-seeded Oaks Christian (7-6).
After a first-round bye, the Lions will host either Long Beach-Wilson or Valencia in the second round on May 1.
Both the Marmonte League and Coastal Canyon League received at-large entries in Agoura (9-7) and Royal (7-7), respectively.
Newbury Park (12-7) will host Royal (7-7) in an all-county first-round match Wednesday.
A pair of Newbury Park boys lacrosse players celebrate a goal during the Panthers' 14-13 win over Westlake on the road on April 17, 2026. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Q&A
Which teams are participating in the CIF-SS lacrosse playoffs?
Twelve local teams have been selected for the CIF-SS lacrosse playoffs, including Royal High and Santa Monica.
What is Royal High's record entering the CIF-SS playoffs?
Royal High enters the CIF-SS playoffs with an unbeaten record of 16-0.
When does Royal High play in the CIF-SS lacrosse playoffs?
Royal High will play against Santa Monica in the first round on Tuesday, April 28.
Who is the coach of Royal High lacrosse team?
The coach of the Royal High lacrosse team is Cathe Utterback.
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Newbury Park senior middie Jake Sabatini cradles the ball during a 14-13 win over Westlake on April 17, 2026 at Westlake High.
Newbury Park boys lacrosse players throw their sticks in the air in celebration after defeating Westlake 14-13 on the road in a Marmonte League clash on April 17, 2026. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Newbury Park defender Colt Ward (30) leaps over a Westlake player while chasing the ball during the Panthers' 14-13 Marmonte League victory on April 17, 2026 at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Newbury Park's Tylar Jimenez celebrates after scoring a goal during the Panthers' 14-13 win over Westlake on April 17, 2026, on the road. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Westlake's Evan Erdmann (32) defends Newbury Park's Tylar Jimenez during a 14-13 Newbury Park win over Westlake on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Newbury Park senior attacker Ryan Bartlett (4) evades a Westlake defender during the Panthers' 14-13 Marmonte League victory on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Newbury Park boys lacrosse player George Hees (1) flexes his muscles while celebrating with his teammates after the Panthers defeated Westlake 14-13 on the road in a Marmonte League clash on April 17, 2026. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Players battle during a faceoff in a 14-13 Newbury Park victory over Westlake in a Marmonte League game on April 17, 2026, in Westlake. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Newbury Park boys lacrosse players celebrate a 14-13 upset victory over Westlake on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. The Panthers dealt the Warriors their first league loss since April 8, 2022.
A Newbury Park boys lacrosse player passes during the Panthers' 14-13 Marmonte League victory over Westlake on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High.
Westlake senior Rivers White (28) cradles the ball under pressure from a Newbury Park player during a 14-13 home loss to the Panthers on April 17, 2026. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Newbury Park's Tylar Jimenez (31) attacks up the sideline during the Panthers' 14-13 win over Westlake on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Westlake's Shaylor Schmitt (88) prepares for a faceoff with Newbury Park's Tyler Nowak during a 14-13 Panthers victory on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Newbury Park defender Colt Ward (30) attacks up the left sideline while being defended by Westlake's Vikram Taisey during the Panthers' 14-13 victory on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Newbury Park boys lacrosse players celebrate after defeating Westlake 14-13 on the road in a Marmonte League clash on April 17, 2026. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Newbury Park boys lacrosse players Aegean Brown (44) and Tylar Jimenez high-five during the Panthers' 14-13 win over Westlake on April 17, 2026, on the road. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
1 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
A pair of Newbury Park boys lacrosse players celebrate a goal during the Panthers' 14-13 win over Westlake on the road on April 17, 2026. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
1 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
A pair of Newbury Park boys lacrosse players celebrate a goal during the Panthers' 14-13 win over Westlake on the road on April 17, 2026. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
2 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Newbury Park senior middie Jake Sabatini cradles the ball during a 14-13 win over Westlake on April 17, 2026 at Westlake High.
3 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Newbury Park boys lacrosse players throw their sticks in the air in celebration after defeating Westlake 14-13 on the road in a Marmonte League clash on April 17, 2026. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
4 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Newbury Park defender Colt Ward (30) leaps over a Westlake player while chasing the ball during the Panthers' 14-13 Marmonte League victory on April 17, 2026 at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
5 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Newbury Park's Tylar Jimenez celebrates after scoring a goal during the Panthers' 14-13 win over Westlake on April 17, 2026, on the road. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
6 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Westlake's Evan Erdmann (32) defends Newbury Park's Tylar Jimenez during a 14-13 Newbury Park win over Westlake on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
7 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Newbury Park senior attacker Ryan Bartlett (4) evades a Westlake defender during the Panthers' 14-13 Marmonte League victory on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
8 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Newbury Park boys lacrosse player George Hees (1) flexes his muscles while celebrating with his teammates after the Panthers defeated Westlake 14-13 on the road in a Marmonte League clash on April 17, 2026. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
9 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Players battle during a faceoff in a 14-13 Newbury Park victory over Westlake in a Marmonte League game on April 17, 2026, in Westlake. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
10 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Newbury Park boys lacrosse players celebrate a 14-13 upset victory over Westlake on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. The Panthers dealt the Warriors their first league loss since April 8, 2022.
11 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
A Newbury Park boys lacrosse player passes during the Panthers' 14-13 Marmonte League victory over Westlake on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High.
12 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Westlake senior Rivers White (28) cradles the ball under pressure from a Newbury Park player during a 14-13 home loss to the Panthers on April 17, 2026. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
13 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Newbury Park's Tylar Jimenez (31) attacks up the sideline during the Panthers' 14-13 win over Westlake on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
14 / 17
Twelve local teams selected for the CIF-SS lacrosse playoffs
Westlake's Shaylor Schmitt (88) prepares for a faceoff with Newbury Park's Tyler Nowak during a 14-13 Panthers victory on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
15 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Newbury Park defender Colt Ward (30) attacks up the left sideline while being defended by Westlake's Vikram Taisey during the Panthers' 14-13 victory on April 17, 2026, at Westlake High. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
16 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Newbury Park boys lacrosse players celebrate after defeating Westlake 14-13 on the road in a Marmonte League clash on April 17, 2026. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
17 / 17
See scenes from Newbury Park's upset of Westlake in boys lacrosse
Newbury Park boys lacrosse players Aegean Brown (44) and Tylar Jimenez high-five during the Panthers' 14-13 win over Westlake on April 17, 2026, on the road. It was the Warriors' first league loss since April 8, 2022.
Led by Tylar Jimenez’s nine goals, the Panthers ended Westlake’s 33-game league winning streak with a 14-13 win on April 17. They have won nine eight games.
Coastal Canyon League co-champion Oak Park (10-8) will host Riverside Poly (11-9), Coastal Canyon League co-champion Simi Valley (9-4) will welcome Cate (4-7), Agoura (9-7) will host Crescenta Valley (11-8), and Grace (10-5) will visit Culver City (9-4) in Wednesday’s Division 3 first round.
Local teams have reached the past two Division 3 finals. Oaks Christian edged Sherman Oaks-Notre Dame 6-5 in overtime in 2024 and Agoura fell to Riverside-King 14-8 in 2025.
Joe Curley covers lacrosse for The Star. He can be reached at joe.curley@vcstar.com. For more coverage, follow @vcspreps on Twitter/X, Instagram/Threads, Facebook, Bluesky and TikTok.
