In a high-stakes MCAL girls lacrosse showdown, Redwood from Larkspur defeated Marin Catholic from Kentfield 8-5 on Marin Catholic’s home turf. The Giants avenged last season’s title-game loss and tightened their grip on the league’s top playoff seed.
The Bay Area showdown drew a lively crowd from San Rafael to Mill Valley. Both teams jockeyed for favorable postseason positioning as the spring calendar advances.
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Redwood’s second-half surge seals the win in Kentfield
The game stayed tight through halftime. It had the kind of pace and physicality Marin County expects from a local rivalry.
Two late first-half penalty-shot conversions by Marin Catholic kept the Wildcats even with the Giants at the break. But three minutes into the second half, Riley Buck delivered the moment Redwood needed.
Her goal sparked a surge that pushed the Giants ahead for good. The arena always feels a bit neutral in Kentfield, even when the crowd leans heavily one way or the other.
Standout performers and turning points
From the opening whistle in this San Anselmo–San Rafael corridor clash to the final whistle in Kentfield, several players made their mark. Grace Davis, a freshman from Mill Valley, finished with three goals and added an important late insurance tally to pad the Redwood cushion.
Her quick development in the midfield, plus timely help from upperclassmen, really showed off Redwood’s depth. It’s impressive, honestly, how fast she’s grown into her role.
- Grace Davis — three goals, including a late insurance score for the Giants.
- Riley Buck — sparked the decisive third-quarter run less than a few minutes into the period.
- Claire Johnson — provided an early scoring jolt to help Redwood weather the opening minutes.
- Phoebe Miller — added crucial goals in the middle stretch to keep Redwood ahead.
- Elizabeth Irving — opened Marin Catholic’s scoring on a penalty shot, showing the Wildcats’ willingness to attack early.
- Lauren Bailey (Marin Catholic) — answered with two goals, keeping the Wildcats in the game through the first half.
- Alegra Fazal — stepped in for faceoffs after senior Lucy Jeffers left the game with a calf strain in the first quarter.
- Nina Baker — anchored a stubborn Redwood defense that limited Marin Catholic’s chances after a rocky start.
- Keira Faye — the Giants’ goalkeeper who stabilized the back line with key saves in the second half.
Redwood managed the clock in the fourth quarter and kept Marin Catholic from mounting a late comeback. The defensive resolve from Nina Baker and the shot-stopping from Keira Faye really stood out, helping Redwood steady themselves after a rough start.
Season implications and regional context
With this win, the Redwood Giants bumped their record up to 10-3 overall and 5-0 in MCAL play. They’re tightening their grip on the league lead and making a real case for the top playoff seed out of Marin County.
From the old mill towns like Sausalito and Tiburon to the neighborhoods of San Rafael and Corte Madera, fans are watching. Redwood’s setting itself up for a deep postseason run, and let’s be honest, the MCAL schedule isn’t exactly forgiving.
Marin Catholic dropped to 11-5 overall and 4-1 in league play. They’re still very much in the playoff hunt in that crowded Bay Area lacrosse bracket.
The Wildcats have faced tough competition and still have room to grow as spring rolls on through San Anselmo and beyond. Both teams, with their historic rivalries and fast-paced games, walked away from Friday night with some lessons and a more defined route toward the postseason.
- Redwood (Larkspur) holds onto the MCAL lead with a spotless 5-0 league record and stands at 10-3 overall.
- Marin Catholic (Kentfield) stays in the playoff mix, sitting at 11-5 overall and 4-1 in league games.
- This rivalry is still a highlight in Marin County sports, showing off the region’s lacrosse culture from Mill Valley through San Rafael and up to San Anselmo.
Here is the source article for this story: Girls lacrosse: Redwood surges past rival Marin Catholic in title rematch
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