K.C. ALFRED / Union-Tribune
Sophomore Drew Hoffenberg powered Bishop's 15-10 win over Cathedral Catholic in the San Diego Section Division II semifinals Tuesday night with five goals, three assists and five steals. Bishop's will face Coronado in Saturday's final for the 11th time in 12 years.
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As a freshman reserve, Drew Hoffenberg could only watch as Bishop's came to the end of a five-year title reign with an overtime loss to Coronado last year. As a sophomore starter, he's looking to help the Knights regain the crown from the same opponent.
Hoffenberg fueled top-seeded Bishop's in the San Diego Section Division II semifinals last night with five goals, three assists and five steals in a 15-10 victory over Cathedral Catholic at La Jolla High's Coggan Pool.
A title rematch was determined when second-seeded Coronado topped La Jolla 10-8 in the second semifinal behind senior goalie Justin Parson with 15 saves and junior Alex Johnson with four goals.
Bishop's (23-7) will face Coronado (24-6) in the final for the 11th time in 12 years on Saturday at the same site. A year ago, the Islanders prevailed 11-10.
“It really disappointed me not to play in overtime (last year),” Hoffenberg said. “So I really worked hard to be more a part of the team – to be in that situation to help us win.”
This year, the finalists split their two regular-season meetings, each decided by one goal.
“We're definitely going to know our game plan,” Parson said. “We know what Bishop's likes to do, and we're going to practice and try to shut them down.”
Senior Demian Tschirn added four goals to help spearhead Bishop's against fourth-seeded Cathedral Catholic (23-8). The Knights responded with four unanswered goals for a 6-3 lead 3:05 before halftime after facing their only deficit of the game midway through the first quarter.
“We came out a little flat, a little nervous in a big game,” Tschirn said. “Once we found our comfort zone, we pulled out into the lead and didn't put on the brakes.”
To open the second period, Hoffenberg converted the first shot. He added a steal to set up a breakaway goal by Ollie Feune de Colombi with 1:12 elapsed.
“The good thing about our team is anyone can be a leader,” Hoffenberg said. “We believe in each other.”
For the Dons, Steven Perdew had a team-high three goals.
Coronado opened a 4-0 edge 18 seconds into the second period against third-seeded La Jolla (21-10) and led by at least two goals the rest of the way.
“We started with intensity,” Parson said. “After we opened up with a big lead, we got too comfortable, and they started coming back. So we stepped it up defensively.”
Hunter Gettlefinger led La Jolla with three goals.
The Vikings scored back-to-back goals to close within 10-8 with 3:19 left, but Parson used his final two saves to blank them the rest of the way.
