By: Margo Rawlings 

Local Editor

Ranked sixth in the United States as of Oct. 6, Los Gatos Field Hockey (LGFH) is dominating the De Anza league this season. On Thursday, Sept. 22, the girls’ Varsity team continued its undefeated season, beating St. Francis, ranked second in the league, 4-3. Last year, Los Gatos narrowly beat St. Francis in their second round of shoot-outs during CCS finals. 

Against one of the best teams in California, the Cats maintained control of the ball throughout the game. Senior Abby Lo scored LG’s first goal of the game off a short corner, lifting the ball past the goalie and tying the game 1-1. Soon after, junior Alexa Musser increased LG’s lead to 2-1, scoring from another short corner after an insert from senior co-captain Sam Elliot. Going into the fourth quarter down 3-2, sophomore Clare Torres tied the game from a short corner, sending the game into overtime. With only seven, rather than eleven, players on the field, due to CCS overtime rules, Lo scored the game-winning goal, tipping the ball into the cage off of a rebound from the St. Francis goalie during a short corner. Although there were still four minutes remaining in overtime, the game ended with a win for LGFH due to instant elimination. The entire team ran onto the field, congratulating junior goalie Keira Lin for her strong performance and all the players who contributed to the great win. 

Torres described her goal during the final quarter of the game, explaining that senior co-captain Jiwoo Hong passed her the ball during a short corner, and she just took a shot, hoping it would go in. Hearing the ball hit the back of the cage, Torres said, “I turned to Sam, and we had a big hug.” She explained St. Francis’ trick: clapping during the opposing team’s short corner to distract them and hopefully throw off their game. She recalled thinking, “Oh my god, I have to make this, they’re literally clapping.” 

Looking forward to the rest of the season, Torres explained how she thinks the remainder of the season will be successful because the team plays very well together. She noted, “Having so many people on our team is really nice; it’s kind of like having a family.” Come cheer on LGFH at their next away game against Homestead on Thursday, Oct. 20, or at home on Tuesday, Oct. 25, for Senior Night! Varsity girls play at 3:30 PM, and the JV game begins right after. Go Cats!