2026 EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY
EastCountySports.com staff report
LA MESA — Helix closed a demanding week with an East County victory, holding off Granite Hills, 2-1, Monday at Helix.
The Highlanders improved to 4-4 by winning Granite Hills’ season opener. It was Helix’s fourth victory of the season and its first since a 1-0 shutout of Sage Creek on Aug. 31.
Helix entered the matchup following consecutive losses to two teams ahead of it in the latest county computer ratings.
No. 23 Mission Vista defeated the Highlanders, 3-0, on Sept. 8, and No. 17 University City earned a 5-0 victory two days later.
Those results dropped Helix to No. 29 in the section rankings, but Monday’s victory over Granite Hills had not yet been incorporated into the latest ratings.
The Highlanders have recorded three shutout victories this season, defeating El Capitan, Patrick Henry and Sage Creek. Their two goals against Granite Hills marked their best offensive output since the 7-0 victory over El Capitan on Aug. 20.
Granite Hills fell to 0-1 following its delayed season opener. The Eagles had not played the three games required to appear in the county ratings.
The Eagles continue their nonleague schedule at Vista on Sept. 21 before facing Patrick Henry on Sept. 24.
Helix was scheduled to host No. 21 Mission Hills on Wednesday before visiting Escondido on Friday.
Otay Ranch splits two decisions
Otay Ranch (3-3) produced the week’s largest Metro Conference victory, defeating El Capitan, 7-0, on Sept. 9.
The Mustangs recorded their third shutout victory after earlier 3-0 wins over Vista and Mira Mesa. Otay Ranch has outscored opponents 13-0 in its three victories.
That performance placed the Mustangs at No. 26 in the county computer ratings entering Monday.
No. 7 Point Loma stopped Otay Ranch’s momentum with a 7-0 victory Monday.
El Capitan (0-6) remained winless following the loss to Otay Ranch and was rated No. 36 in the section.
Vista edged El Capitan, 1-0, behind a goal from freshman Jazzy Romero. The Vaqueros fell to 0-6 after their second one-goal loss of the season.
Hilltop earns fifth victory
Hilltop improved to 5-3 with a 2-1 victory over Patrick Henry on Sept. 10.
Senior Hannah Gomez recorded another goal for the Lancers and increased her season total to five.
Hilltop has won five of its past six games after opening with losses to Olympian and Point Loma. The Lancers were No. 22 in the latest section computer rankings, while Patrick Henry was No. 31.
Elsewhere, No. 9 Clairemont defeated Olympian, 3-0. The Eagles fell to 2-2 and were rated No. 18 in the county.
Mira Mesa edged Bonita Vista, 1-0, dropping the Barons to 2-5. Mira Mesa was No. 27 in the section ratings, three positions ahead of No. 30 Bonita Vista.
Eastlake did not play but remained the Metro Conference’s highest-rated team at No. 13 in the section.
Southwest also did not report a game and had not played enough contests to qualify for the county computer ratings.
WEEK’S RESULTS
Monday, Sept. 14
Helix 2, Granite Hills 1
Point Loma 7, Otay Ranch 0
Vista 1, El Capitan 0
Thursday, Sept. 10
University City 5, Helix 0
Clairemont 3, Olympian 0
Hilltop 2, Patrick Henry 1
Wednesday, Sept. 9
Otay Ranch 7, El Capitan 0
Tuesday, Sept. 8
Mission Vista 3, Helix 0
Mira Mesa 1, Bonita Vista 0
