ALISO VIEJO, CA – The Aliso Niguel Wolverines showed grit and composure Friday night, erasing a second-half deficit to secure a 24-21 victory over the Pacifica Mariners in front of a lively crowd of more than 1,000 fans.
The game began evenly, with both offenses trading blows in the first half. By halftime, the scoreboard read 14-14, setting the stage for a tense finish.
But Aliso Niguel refused to fold. The Wolverines clawed back with a field goal to cut the deficit to 21-17, then leaned on their ground game in crunch time. Sophomore Devin Williams powered into the end zone for a 3-yard rushing touchdown with just four minutes remaining, giving Aliso Niguel its first lead of the second half at 24-21.
The defense sealed the win, forcing key stops down the stretch to keep Pacifica from mounting a final scoring drive. Senior linebacker Artin Hatamabad anchored the defensive front with nine tackles and a sack, while Carson Etnire and P. Comerford each added interceptions.
Offensively, senior quarterback C. Vestermark threw for 147 yards and a touchdown, spreading the ball to six different receivers. On the ground, senior Brady Defrain led with 83 yards and a touchdown, while Williams added 48 yards and the decisive score.
The victory pushes Aliso Niguel to 3-1 on the season, bouncing back strong after last week’s loss. Pacifica, meanwhile, drops to 2-3 after letting a halftime tie slip away.
Looking ahead, Aliso Niguel will face off against El Toro on September 27, while Pacifica will regroup during a bye week before meeting University on October 3.
Final Score: Aliso Niguel 24, Pacifica 21.
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