As the final horn sounded at Acalanes High School last month, Cal High players and fans stormed the field as the top-seeded Grizzlies completed their perfect season by bringing home the school’s first NCS lacrosse championship.

Four years ago when head coach Nicole Moore came to Cal to lead the women’s lacrosse program, she told players they’d win NCS within four years.

She delivered on her promise in her final year as coach as she helped guide the team to the sixth NCS title in school history.

Cal’s last NCS title was in women’s soccer in 2003.

“I always knew we would be a competitive program at this point,” coach Moore said. “But to be undefeated is a major accomplishment, and that says a lot about the girls we have on the team.”

The women’s lacrosse team finished the season undefeated with a perfect 22-0 record after beating Amador Valley 12-11 in the championship game on May 19.

Cal, which also won the EBAL championships and was ranked second in the Western United States by WestSideLax.com, got its revenge against the Lady Dons by winning the title.

Amador knocked Cal out of the playoffs last year by beating the Lady Grizzlies in the semifinals.

“Winning was an amazing feeling,” said second team all-league junior defender Hannah Monday.

League MVP and two-time All-American senior Ashley Algieri scored the eventual game winning goal with less than four minutes to go in the game. After she picked up the ball off the draw, she weaved through several defenders before scoring an unassisted goal.

Amador responded with a goal with a 1:10 left to play to make the score 12-11, but Cal gained control of the ball with under a minute remaining and ran out the clock.

Ashley, Rachael Martinez and Jaclyn Goldsmith, all seniors, led the charge for Cal. Rachael and Ashley had four goals each, and Jaclyn had a goal and four assists.

The Lady Grizzlies jumped out to an early 5-1 lead, but Amador quickly followed with three consecutive goals. Cal led the Lady Dons 7-4 at the half.

Cal’s lead would shrink in the second half. Each team answered the other’s goals the entire half. Amador came within one goal three different times in the last 15 minutes, but were unable to overcome the Lady Grizzlies.

“It was really exciting,” said junior goalie Susan Geig. “Winning NCS was one of our goals at the beginning of the year, and it was amazing to win.”

To reach the championship game, the Lady Grizzlies defeated Monte Vista 8-7 on May 17. Cal overcame its biggest deficit of the season when it fell behind 5-1 midway through the first half. But Jaclyn, Ashley and junior Stefani Kawabata each scored a goal to end the half on a 3-0 run to pull the Grizzlies within a goal.

“We started off slow,” said Rachael. “But we dominated in the second half.”

The Mustangs opened the second half by pushing their lead to 6-4. Cal cut the lead to one in the later part of the second half and with 5:07 to play tied the game.

With 1:44 to play, Ashley scored one of her biggest goals of the season and the eventual game-winner to give Cal its first lead.

“I felt really good after making that shot,” said Ashley.

Cal opened the NCS playoffs against Acalanes on May 16 by whipping the Lady Dons 16-6. Ashley led the charge with seven goals, while Rachael added three goals and Jaclyn scored twice.

“We started off slow but then we started scoring,” said senior Rachel Lee, a second-team all-league defender.

Six of the Grizzlies received all league honors this year. Ashley was named the EBAL’s MVP. Rachael received first-team all-league center honors, while Hannah, Rachel, and sophomore Kelsey Anderson all received second-team all-league honors for defense. Susan was named second-team all-league goalie.