Lightning struck three times during Friday afternoon’s stormy weather in San Diego. And the ferocious thunderclaps set off a firestorm of celebration for those seated on the wet bleachers in the Mira Mesa High School stadium, as they watched the girls of Point Loma High School (PLHS) vie for the Eastern League title in soccer. Following a stirring Senior Day presentation by the hosts, the fired-up Marauders raced to an early 1-0 lead just five minutes into the match. Little did Mira Mesa players know what was about to hit them next. The frustrated Pointers exploded for three goals in a span of just 10 minutes to win the rain-soaked match by a score of 3-1 — but more importantly, the PLHS girls’ squad clinched its first-ever Eastern League crown. As a result, the Lady Pointers (9-1-2 in league, 12-5-5 overall) opened the CIF Division II playoffs with a home game last night, Feb. 23, against San Marcos (first place, 6-0-4 in Avocado East League, 10-5-5 overall). But it was Friday’s victory that ignited the post-season journey. On Friday, it was senior midfielder-striker Carly Holly who sparked the electricity with the game-tying goal for the Pointers. “It was getting nrve-wracking because we had been down all half and we had to win this game,” said Holly. “Everyone wanted a goal so bad.” Holly passed around credit for her team’s initial goal, however. “Megan (junior midfielder-defender Megan O’Beirne) made an amazing play and chipped the ball over the entire defense,” Holly said. “Erika Hanson (junior midfielder-forward) was there to challenge the defender, and because of her pressure, the ball ricocheted off her (the defender) and I came in and shot it in the right side of the net. “I wouldn’t have been able to score without my teammates,” she said. “They set me up.” Two minutes after intermission, the Pointers struck again. This time it was O’Beirne. “Veronica Perez (junior striker-forward) made a great pass down the (side) line to Alyssa Mussomeli (sophomore midfielder),” O’Beirne said. “Alyssa looked at where the goalkeeper was and put the ball perfectly where she [the goalkeeper] wasn’t.” Holly and O’Beirne share the team lead for goals (7) and know the exhilaration well. “It’s an indescribable feeling when you realize that your shot is going to go in,” O’Beirne said of her game-winner. “Everyone screams and the crowd cheers. It’s just a great feeling.” The Marauders yielded a third and final Pointers goal just four minutes later when Hanson drilled the ball into the Mira Mesa net. Ten minutes. Three goals. An elusive league title for the Lady Pointers. And O’Beirne didn’t seem to mind playing in the steady rain. “It was really fun,” said O’Beirne. “The rain makes it so much more intense out there. You just go numb.” For Colleen O’Brien (junior midfielder-defender), who wears a captain’s armband along with Holly, O’Beirne and Marie Laube (junior sweeper-defender), the team’s key to success has been its camaraderie. “Our team is so close and we’re all best friends,” said O’Brien after the match. “We all fight for each other and being a captain is a real honor.” Holly also praised Pointers goalkeeper Lily Edwards, who recorded 11 shutouts and a .719 goals-against average. “Our keeper is amazing!” Holly said. “She stops every ball and works like a tiger — like a big Pointer dog!” While claiming the league crown is a first for the Lady Pointers, they’ve experienced great success over the last several years. In 2009, after finishing second in league, the team went on to win the CIF championship. But coach John Murphy knew that winning the league title meant derailing longtime champion Patrick Henry along the way. “They [Patrick Henry] have won league the last nine years,” Murphy said. “But this year we beat them at home (2-0) and at Henry (1-0). This year’s team is just a super group of girls.” Murphy noted going into last night’s playoff game that predictions of more rain shouldn’t dampen spirits, because his squad has played well through all kinds of weather and adversity.