By: Sam Gruetter

Opinion Editor

The LGHS Girls’ and Boys’ Varsity Soccer teams have had respectively exceptional seasons and are going into their final league games and beginning stages of CCS with high hopes and equally high energy. 

The girls finished their regular play in first place of the first division of the De Anza league, bringing home the title after their 3-2 triumph over Homestead on Feb. 12. Sophomore Abby Nelson scored the first goal off a left-footed shot to the low corner, clinching a 1-0 lead early into the game. Junior Emma Jackson then built off of this momentum and scored the second goal off of an assist from Nelson. Securing their lead, Nelson scored a final goal, making the final result a 3-2 win in favor of Los Gatos. Just like the many wins they boast, the girls have accumulated points in their favor through their season, with a 3-0 against Palo Alto on Feb. 5, a 2-1 win against Los Altos, and 2-2 tie against Santa Clara on Jan. 29. Juniors Piper Hansen, Leighton Ozawa, and Jackson, senior Isabella Ramos, and sophomore Avery Edson all play instrumental roles in the team’s back line, defending the other team and facilitating quick and efficient communication amongst the LG players. Hansen described the harmony of the back line, stating, “We work well together and we’re all supportive even when a mistake is made. We have each other’s backs and step in defensively for one another when we need it.” Unfortunately, the girls winter season ended in their CCS quarterfinals match on Feb.22, when they lost to Leland 2-3. 

The boys have also had a challenging season, but despite this, they have still managed to yield positive results, currently residing in sixth place of the De Anza league with a 4-7-2 record. In their most recent matches, the boys had two close losses against Homestead and Mountain View. On Feb. 5, they won against Palo Alto, conceding no goals and finishing with a score of 1-0. However, they have also had more difficult matches where the results were less favorable. On Feb. 14, they tied Wilcox in a 1-1 match, their second-to-last game of the winter season. The boys team prevailed in their CCS quarterfinals match against Aptos where they clinched the win in penalty kicks. 

The JV teams have also had immense success in their respective seasons, ensuring Los Gatos High School soccer teams will boast skilled rosters for many years to come. The LGHS Girls’ JV Soccer team ended first in their league, with a 7-1-1 record in league play. The boys’ JV team had ended with a 5-3-5 record. 

All Los Gatos High School soccer teams deserve a hand for their unrivaled effort this winter season, and a wish of luck for those continuing to the CCS and state rounds. 

(Source: MaxPreps)