As dramatic finishes go, this was one was a classic.

The Pointer boys lacrosse team was involved in a back-and-forth nail-biter against Del Norte for the CIF Div. II trophy May 18 at San Dieguito Academy when the Nighthawks scored for a 7-7 tie with just 1:40 left in the game.

When the Pointers regained possession after the re-start, head coach Deron Ambler called a timeout with 30.2 seconds left.

“In the timeout, we said ‘Brady (Allen) you’re going to go down there, take the shot and win this championship for us,'”Ambler said.

Prophetic words, indeed.

Allen, the Pointer football team quarterback used to violent contact, took the ball and walked slowly around the middle of the field, unguarded by the Nighthawks as the seconds ticked down.

Twenty, 19, 18, 17.

Then, with about 12 seconds left, Allen broke toward the Nighthawk goal as defenders swarmed around him, swatting him with sticks and slamming his body. As he pushed his way to about five yards from the net, Allen raised his stick and flung the ball into the Nighthawk goal.

Pandemonium broke out instantly among Pointer players and loyal supporters in the stands. Players jumped in celebration and mobbed Allen as dejected Nighthawk players realized their fate.

The scoreboard showed Pointers 8, Nighthawks 7 with only 7.3 seconds to play.

“I was waiting so if we turned the ball over they wouldn’t have any time to go down and score,” Allen explained following the post-game celebration. “I went to the corner, said a little prayer, and went to the cage and it somehow went in. I think I had God on my side because I couldn’t see an open space in the goal anywhere.”

The victory was especially sweet for Allen, who has lost close CIF championship games in football and lacrosse during his prep years.

For Allen, who is headed to Missouri’s  Evangel University to play football with two Pointer pals, the winning goal was his third of the game. Brothers Bryce and Jake Graulich each scored twice with A.J. Alegre also finding the net.

“We have a great group of kids,” Ambler said. “Many of these guys have been playing together since fourth grade. Brady and the Graulich brothers were the main contributors. We had others stepping up on defense like Everett Wood and Conor Haffey and our goalie Jack Swiderski kept us in that game. It’s a team game.”

“This is such a great group of guys,” Allen said, “and I couldn’t ask for a better team to do it with, Great coaches too – I love it all so much.”

EXTRA DODGES

Assistant coaches for the team are Drew Bossert and Johnny Buchhauser.

This is the first lacrosse championship for the Pointers.

PLHS principal David Jaffe and athletic director Manny Diaz Jr. were on hand to pass out championship patches to each player.

Alegre received the Sportsmanship Award from CIF observers.

The event ended at 4:45 p.m. and it was also prom night for the team’s nine seniors.

PHOTO BY SCOTT HOPKINS