Titans, Eagles lead early Metro race

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 7, 2026

Eastlake players celebrate after defeating Otay Ranch, 4-0, on Monday. The Titans improved to 2-0 in Metro Conference play with their third consecutive shutout.

2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FIELD HOCKEY

EASTLAKE, OLYMPIAN TAKE EARLY CONTROL OF LEAGUE RACE

EastCountySports.com staff report

CHULA VISTA — Eastlake and Olympian have separated themselves from the early Metro Conference pack, opening Mesa Division play with matching 2-0 records.

Eastlake carries four consecutive victories into the second full week of conference competition. The Titans have outscored their opponents 20-2 during the streak, including three consecutive shutouts by a combined 16-0 margin.

The run began with a 4-2 victory over Point Loma on Sept. 16. Eastlake followed by defeating Rancho Bernardo, 6-0, before opening its conference schedule with another 6-0 victory over Helix.

The Titans improved to 6-1-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play with Monday’s 4-0 victory over Otay Ranch.

Eastlake is eighth in the latest county computer ratings, the highest position among Metro Conference teams.

OLYMPIAN KEEPS PACE

Olympian (6-2, 2-0) has been equally effective, winning three consecutive games while outscoring El Capitan, Otay Ranch and Bonita Vista by a combined 12-1.

The Eagles defeated El Capitan, 7-0, in their final tuneup before conference play. Olympian then edged Otay Ranch, 2-1, before shutting out Bonita Vista, 3-0.

Senior Mikaela Stalnaker leads the Eagles with 11 goals and 26 points. Junior Valentina Escobedo has supplied a team-leading six assists, while freshman goalkeeper Allison Sardon has made 17 saves.

Olympian is No. 13 in the current county computer ratings, setting up an important meeting with Eastlake on Oct. 14 in Chula Vista.

HILLTOP CARRIES SIX-GAME STREAK

While Eastlake and Olympian have set the early pace in the Mesa Division, Hilltop (8-3) enters South Bay Division play with the conference’s longest active winning streak.

The Lancers have won six consecutive games since falling to Olympian on Sept. 4. Their run includes victories over Otay Ranch, Bonita Vista, Patrick Henry, Escondido and Mira Mesa.

Hilltop defeated Otay Ranch for the second time this season on Sept. 23, posting a 2-0 shutout. The Lancers have allowed only five goals during their six-game streak and have recorded three shutouts.

Senior Hannah Gomez leads Hilltop with eight goals, three assists and 19 points. Gomez recorded three goals and three assists in an 8-0 victory over Escondido.

Sophomore Raina Jones added three goals and an assist in that victory.

Hilltop is No. 21 in the county computer ratings and opens South Bay Division play against Southwest.

OTAY RANCH EDGES HELIX

Otay Ranch (5-6, 1-2) earned its first conference victory by holding off Helix, 3-2, on Oct. 2.

The Mustangs recorded three goals and three assists while goalkeeper play accounted for five saves.

Senior Danika Rivera leads Otay Ranch with 10 goals. Rivera previously scored all three goals in a victory over Mira Mesa and contributed a goal and an assist against Vista.

Otay Ranch had opened conference play with a 2-1 loss to Olympian before rebounding against Helix. The Mustangs then fell to Eastlake on Monday.

The Mustangs are No. 25 in the latest county computer ratings.

BONITA VISTA RETURNS TO WIN COLUMN

Bonita Vista (4-6-1, 0-1) returned to the win column Monday with a 1-0 nonconference victory over Granite Hills.

It was the Barons’ fourth shutout victory of the season. Bonita Vista previously defeated Southwest twice and El Capitan.

The Barons opened conference play with a 3-0 loss to Olympian and next visit Eastlake on Friday.

Helix (5-8, 0-2) has dropped three consecutive games, including conference decisions against Eastlake and Otay Ranch. The Highlanders remained within one goal of Otay Ranch before falling, 3-2.

Helix hosts Bonita Vista in its next conference contest.

SOUTH BAY DIVISION OPENS

Hilltop begins as the clear South Bay Division favorite after compiling its 8-3 nonconference record.

Granite Hills enters division play at 0-4 after four competitive opening tests, including one-goal losses to Helix, Patrick Henry and Bonita Vista.

Southwest is 0-4, while El Capitan enters conference competition at 0-9.

The Vaqueros have played three one-goal games, including decisions against Vista and Escondido. El Capitan opens its South Bay schedule against Granite Hills on Oct. 14.